04/30/23 Babies!!!!

 Ok. I'll start with the bizarre!  This week I needed to repair the sprinkler head in the front yard. I went to Home Depot to purchase a new head. They rearranged a little so things weren't where they used to be. One of the orange aproned guys asked if he could help me. Sure! He walked me down to the correct area and in just a couple of minutes I had what I needed. And then it got weird!

He dropped to one knee, put his hand on the ground and looked up at me and said, will you put your foot on my hand? Um, ok? So I put my foot softly on his hand for a moment (thinking there is some kind of silly joke or something?) I remove my foot. He says, you can put your foot harder on my hand. And I said, um, no...why?

Baby B--Emory 3 lb 15 oz 17 in
arrived at 10 a.m. on April 26

He says you are really cute and I want you to. So now I'm backing away and saying, uh...no...I'm good!!! I gotta go, thanks for your help. And he's like, well...would you mind if I lay on the floor and you hold you foot up in the air and I look at the bottom of your sneaker? 

Um...seriously...no!!!! And I leave as quickly as possible! 

FaceTime babies in 
NICU at St. Mark's 
Hospital

What.the.heck?!  Weirdo!!!

On the bright side...I replaced the sprinkler head and it is working beautifully!

The Edge spent another day at the shop -- it had a hesitation - thought it might be transmission - the mechanic wanted me to bring it back so he could check it out a week after his repair. He said he swapped out fluids again and to bring it back in another week. Missionary blessing?!  He didn't charge me anything!!! He said we'll settle up another time...I'm not sure what that means but that was pretty nice of him!!! (He gave me about $100 off what he quoted me last week.)

FaceTime babies in 
NICU at St. Mark's 
Hospital

As you know McKayla was in the hospital -- until babies arrived. Which was supposed to be Friday. But her blood pressure continued to be naughty and high and on Wednesday our lil beautiful babies arrived!!! Baby Amelia was first on Wednesday, April 26 at 9:58 a.m. She weighed 5 lbs. Baby Emory arrived at 10:00 a.m. weighing in at 3 lbs 9 oz. (Little...but bigger than DJ & Ellie!!! who were like just under 3 lbs and just over 3 lbs. each)  They were 33 weeks 5 days -- which is about a month earlier than the earliest you usually prefer to get them. (40 weeks is full term with a single birth, 38 is usually "done" with twins).  Babies and mama are still in the hospital and doing great. Both babies are breathing on their own but have feeding tubes. Kayla sounded really weak (her voice sounds pained to talk) but she has been able to go down and see the kids in the NICU and can walk around a little. C-section recovery is rough so she should take it easy for another month or so (if that is possible...I doubt it!!!)

Puzzling week! haha
Holly and I (mostly Holly) and Andy
got this done in about 3 hrs
500 piceces

Since the babies are in the NICU they are not allowed to have visitors except Dallas and Kayla. Natalie (Kayla's mom) is watching DJ and Ellie all the time. We are going to wait a couple of weeks and go up when dad has to work which is May 14-May 21 (the 21st is when Bryce plans to bless Mo -- so it will be a good week up there!)

Wednesday night we did YOGA at Sister Casey's house and that was really fun and felt good. It wasn't like real yoga...cause kids are silly and it wasn't quiet and serene...but it still felt good!  She is such a sweety!  The girls love her and she loves them. 

250 piece puzzler

A puzzle maker DOWDLE pitched a deal to Washington City to try to get Washington City to commission a city puzzle ($150,000 if they say yes!!!!)  He left behind a couple of puzzles which ended up in my office. So I worked on a little puzzle during the week and Friday night Holly came over...and did the WHOLE 500 piece puzzle before she went home! She kept saying how fun it was and please stay up a little longer. It was after 11 p.m. when we finished. But also WOW we did it in like 3 hours!  She is a really good puzzler.  She is starting to spend more time with me and it's been nice!

My new do! (day 3) by
Emmalee Wright Levitz

Saturday I spent 2.5 hours getting my hair colored and cut by Emilee Wright Levitz -- I really like the way her cuts and styles turn out. I haven't had her do color before but I think she did a great job there as well. She has been married almost 3 years now to Rhett and seems very happy and good. It was fun to catch up with her. 

Saturday evening was Kesley Isom's wedding. They had a taco bar and churros and drinks. It was a pretty nifty setup in the backyard. I got to see the Carnavales, Fullmers, Longs, Dinsmores,  Wilkins, Meachams, Marissa Olsen, Barnums...I think that's everyone...It was nice. I went by myself because dad needed to do his therapy and didn't really want to dress up and Holly forgot and ended up not being around. It was fun to catch up with all the old gang. 

Lisa & Michael Dinsmore 

Carol and Bud Long

Jenae and Emmerson Carnevale

So another busy week -- work has been kinda busy and a little stressful but it's all good. Mindy turned in her resignation and now we have to find another court clerk. Sounds like I won't actually need to be too involved so I'm going to try to not let it concern me. We also are working on moving out my current renters in our So Main Street house and the fire department is moving in. (they are closing mainstreet under the freeway for 6 months so they need to have a way for the fire trucks to serve old Washington for the next 6 months.)  They want to set it up with some furniture and will have a substation at that house. 

Thought for me mostly...cause I think you're in a good place right now!!!

Brad Nelson and Kesley Isom
wedding

In the busyness of our daily lives and in the commotion of the contemporary world in which we live, we may be distracted from the eternal things that matter the most by making pleasure, prosperity, popularity and prominence our primary priorities. Our short-term preoccupation with "the things of this world" and "the honors of men" may lead us to forfeit our spiritual birthright for far less than a mess of pottage.  -Elder Bednar

Yoga with YW and Sandy Casey

I do feel over busy these days. I've filled my days from 4:45 a.m. until 10 p.m. about as much as I possibly can. Some days I just go from one thing to the next to the next and hardly have time to take a breath. The crazy thing is I also feel like I'm still behind in getting things accomplished!!! Sigh!  I probably need to stop and analyze my choices and make sure what I'm doing is important and worthy of my time and efforts. The other problem is...(or is this a good thing?)  I mostly like what I'm doing most of the time...so I don't want to give up anything necessarily!  haha. Which I guess is EXACTLY what he's trying to say...we're having too much fun and not taking care of eternal things first! 

Everybody was asking about you at the wedding - they were all surprised it's already been a whole year you've been gone!  They send their love and xoxo.  Sister Long said she had intended to write to you during your mission but hasn't been very diligent. (Did she write to you once or twice?)  Maybe send her a note and tell her hello...if you have time. No pressure! 

I know what you are doing is really hard but I also can see how much you are learning and growing and progressing. There are some youth here that are really struggling -- making bad choices that will affect their lives forever forward...and it's heartbreaking. And while you may really struggle with some of the mission things -- you are building a foundation that will help you forever forward. 

Keep up the good works!  Love you lots! Mom

04/23/23 Good Morning, Ducky!

 I think I told you this but I thought I'd mention -- just in case I didn't -- about the Ducks. So I read a book about signs and how loved ones send you signs. It talks about how you can ask for a sign and the sign will appear when you need it and when you don't to give you comfort from your loved one. This is primarily concerning those who are dead (which I know you are not!) - but it seems to be working really well for you as I miss you all the way in Chile!  

Ducks walking in front 
of my mower!

So of course your sign was always ducks because of your ringtone on my phone. Before reading the book I always heard the ducks at night and in the morning or whenever and would smile and think of you. After reading the book I guess I'm more attuned to the ducks and now and I'm seeing them everywhere!  

Ducky Cake!!!

I will say...the ducks didn't used to come over to the yard but lately they have been over just about every morning. And yesterday when I was mowing the lawn ... they walked in front of the mower for several passes of the mow and didn't want to leave! I imagined you...feeling safe (even while I wielded a lawn mower!  haha) hanging out, as long as you could, before realizing that you should probably move. So it may be silly but I feel your presence and your love a lot!

Sorry if you think I'm a weirdo! This weirdo loves you, ducky! I can hear the ducks lauging in the pond as I write this!

Backyard Pizza, yum!

It's been a busy week - dad is still battling a cold turned into cough and lucky me...I got his cold Tuesday. It's been a week so I was hopeful I had avoided it...but no such luck!  I was pretty stuffed up Tuesday - Friday but yesterday I started feeling a lot better and I am very hopeful it's over for me now. Dad is feeling pretty good but still has a lotta coughs escaping him throughout the day. Hopefully he'll also feel better before long!

My boss had conferences as week so I was down my main source of work. My other two bosses had conferences Wed-Friday. One of those bosses decided to take a personal day ... or two... and the third boss - he never comes in and just texts/emails me very rarely. SOOOOO -- there was pretty much not too much work coming out of my usual job last week. 

BUT it worked out great because Mindy (my court replacement) was taking off three days - so I ended up working most of my hours/days up in the court training our new girl. 

They are still kind of behind since the last girl quit and there was a nice chunk of stuff the new girl needed to work so we had a very busy week hitting it hard trying to get all the things done. 

SO much has changed since I worked up there -- it was a little daunting. They have put in some very time consuming procedures that are very frustrating to me. I really don't ever want to have to work up there again except as the occasional fill in!  

Anyway we had a really nice week - I really like the new girl. She is a quick learner and very sweet. 

The saga of the house falling apart continues (but nothing too serious)...I still don't have a dishwasher as I patiently wait for the part to be send (which I am told is on backorder until May)...what's another week or two, right?!?!?!?!?  

Cute Craft at widow's home

We bought a piece for our couch that doesn't kick back...only to find it was the wrong piece and it looks just different enough...we decided not to use it. So we have an extra left arm recliner that we put in our bedroom. 

There is a broken sprinkler head in the front lawn. (I keep forgetting to repair it!!!!) Should be easy, can't run sprinklers again until I do. 

Our pool filter was leaking...just a simple bolt tightening took care of that. So that was easy! And free!

My tineco got mailed off AGAIN because now it isn't charging properly. 

My Ford Edge is going back tomorrow just to check on the transmission - I think it's fine (it's like an after repair checkup). 

My back/neck has been wacky and I have an appointment with chiro again tomorrow. He taped me all up last week (for a week) and it seems to be helping the pain/posture etc. 

I think that is all...but it is funny.  I swear a couple months ago I was thinking/thanking HF for all our blessings and how nothing was breaking down. And then BOOM! It's all good! Gives me stuff to work on in my free time, right?! 

We are still working on mastering our pizza oven and made homemade pizza again last week (we were QUARANTINED from Gpa due to Andy illness and E&D were on a trip...so just me and Andy for dinner!)  We haven't quite mastered it but we are getting better!  

bought half a chair

We tried to get GPA arm fixed up but he ended up going to instacare and getting them to try again as each time we removed his dressing his skin would all come with it and start bleeding again. I think when you get old your skin gets thinner and doesn't work as well. In his case they put on some extra fake skin (like super glue or something...you can't see it but it's like an extra layer of protection). They gave him a tetanus shot, antibiotics and no swimming for another week. 

Holly came over Thursday & Friday night and we worked on figuring out what she wants to do for her wedding. We are trying to figure out a venue as she wants an outdoor wedding but it's November which means you need a back up plan. Also she was thinking 4-8pm and maybe the later will be too chilly???  Anyway, nothing has been decided but I have a pretty good idea for what she wants. She found a dress and over coat type thing that are pretty and not too pricey. Not sure if she will order those OR find something at the DI OR use Kayla's dress (it will probably cost as much to use her dress as to buy the one we found...maybe more...so while this seems like a great option...it may not be) Plus she is afraid she will damage it. 

We also have to think of what to serve etc. I gave her all the money and told her she needs to figure it all out. If she goes over, she pays. If she is under she will have honeymoon money. 

Silly FaceTime

Yesterday was super busy as we played pickleball, came home and I did yard work, dad went to BLVD home and did a remote, went to Larkin Group Open House (Jeremy got a new building, dad wanted to support him and go to his open house), went to the county fair. Aj and Erik and Holly came too. We tried a bunch of fair food...some of it was MEH. Enjoyed the pineapple slushy most of all!

AJ got a job selling homes in Desert Color and so until school gets out he is coming down each weekend and working Saturday. So it's been fun seeing a little more of him. Becca has stayed home so far -- which is probably best since he is at work almost the whole time he's down so far!

I get a verse of the day on my phone -- Today is Luke 10:36-37 (see how they sneak in extra...one verse is TWO verses long!!)  -- It is about how someone needed assistance and he took the time to make the person comfortable and make sure all his needs were met...(you have to read the PRIOR verses to get that!)  -- ...He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

I think this is something I struggle with and for sure can do better at. There are SO many people in need of so many things. I need to be more attuned to others and more willing to extend myself and help. 

Fair food...YUM!

Which reminds me of a rather important dilemma this week...Kayla has very high blood pressure. Last week she spent an overnight at the hospital.  This week they admitted her again and said she likely will not be released until we have babies. Maybe next week?  The longer they keep them in the oven the less NICU time for the girls. SO they are keeping a close eye to ensure everyone is safe and well!  

That leaves Dallas with two toddlers, a house that needs some setting up -- the nursery wasn't quite done being put together -- and a job with not too much time off. So I'm sure he is stressed!  Natalie is planning to care for the twins all week (I think?!) while he works/sleeps. Bryce went up and spent Saturday getting the nursery together. I'm sure Kayla is stressed because others need to do her work and take care of her kids. So pray for them that everything will go smoothly and things will work out!

Love you lots and I'm so proud of you. What you are doing is hard but you are learning so many lessons for life that will help you all the remaining days of your life. You are so much further along in your spiritual progression then I was at your age!!! Look forward to talking to you soon!

04/16/23 Good Morning!

 It's been another busy week here. 

Monday we had pizza night at home - with our outdoor pizza oven. We're getting better at using that (not burning everything!) -- I really like it! It was just dad and grandpa and me - E&D are on a 10 day trip. So we just made two pizzas and still had leftovers!

About 9 p.m. my doorbell rang (pretty uncommon!) And there were two sister missionaries at my door. (It might have been Sunday night...I can't remember for sure now!) Dad had his therapy pants on and the kids were at Thatchers. So it was just me. They came in and gave me a lesson and asked me about my neighbors. We talked about how you were on a mission in Chile. They are from Canada and Georgia or something like that. I honestly can't remember right now!  They have only been out like 4 months and 6 months -- so they are fairly greenies still. 

I had forgotten I needed to make rolls for RS Tuesday (and they wanted them a day early) - so afterwork I got busy making rolls!  

Tuesday they did a progressive dinner up on the hill by Myrna Stout's house. We went to four different houses and had appetizer, salad, soup and dessert. It was really nice and fun to see how everyone does their houses. 

Wednesday the YW/YM did a walk to the temple. We drove the kids up to Dixie Rock and then walked 2 miles down to the temple. There was a short talk at the beginning and at the end the sister missionaries met us and gave us another lesson. We have a really cute little set of sisters right now. It was fun to see the sisters again!

Thursday we had a quiet night - just did some cleaning up and hung out. 

Friday GPA went with his New Harmony friends to Chili's and Dad and I went out alone...as weird as it sounds -- we don't really get out alone that much! haha. We went to Green Iguana in the strip mall and ran into Tony Chambers (who bought Daylight Donuts from Diana Thatcher!) We talked to him awhile about the Donut shop - I really think they will make it successful and it will be a good thing for them. They absolutely love Diana!  Dad had to do a baseball game so I did lots of yardwork and cleaning Friday night. 

Saturday dad didn't feel good - so he stayed in bed.  (Head cold/cough) I went and played pickleball without him - I rarely do that!  We had about a dozen people and played for an hour and a half or so. I fell down but luckily didn't get too banged up...landed on my wrist and it is kind of tender but didn't break any skin. Whew!

Spent hours weeding on Saturday (and there is still more weeds!!! Aaagh!!!) We cleaned out the filters too. 

Holly is kicking around the idea of doing the wedding over here -- I'm trying to figure out if the yard is big enough to accommodate that. I know we did AJ's reception here but none of Becca's peeps came -- since we had a reception up there too. Holly and Erik are both local. I don't know how many friends Erik's family has. 

There was a chili cookoff for our ward last night. Dad made a pot (but didn't go) - so I took the chili down. Shortly after I got there Gpa called to tell me he had fallen and needed help getting bandaged up. So I made an extra plate of food and took our dinner over to his house. We ate dinner and put him back together (looks pretty owie!)

Also there was a fireside last night and we had two 70s and the general primary counselor. It was good. It was down in the fields and an area conference so there was a LOT of people there!

Aj got hired at Holmes Homes selling houses/condos in Desert Color (exit 2 St George). He will be traveling here every weekend until school gets out and then wants to purchase a home and live here full time. He's pretty excited. 

Dallas and Kayla had an eventful weekend. He took her to the hospital Friday night for preeclampsia - high blood pressure. They kept her for about 24 hours and got her blood pressure down. Put her on some meds to help it stay down. The kids got to go to the hospital for a couple of hours but apparently they wore out their welcome  and had to leave. Everything seems to be good and she is hoping to keep the babies in for at least 2 more weeks. 

That about sums up the week!  I hope you are feeling better and enjoying your new comp and area. Have you made friends with the senior couple there (is there a senior couple there?)  Any wild and crazy situations this week? Did you say there are four of you in your apartment? If so, are you all getting along well? Have you made friends with the others? 

This week I have been reading a lot about health and longevity. It seems that fruits and veggies are the fixer of disease and illness and aging. If you can partake of the bounty the Lord has given us close to its natural form you will be most healthy. Some other longevity tips - get good sleep, stop stressing, exercise (weights are really good and so is aerobic exercise), drink lots of water (and not much of anything else), limit sugar. I'm really trying to take better care of myself and be healthy and happy. 

Last night's fireside was questions that the kids contributed. Then the panel would answer them. One of the questions was why can't I wear tank tops and crop tops. Sister Browning answered that we are all working to get to the temple and cloth ourselves in the garments of the holy priesthood. Dressing modestly is in preparation for that time. And it is also to respect our bodies and treat them as the sacred temples that they are. 

We also talked about the patriarchal blessing and how it is a guide for our lives and we need to get them -- he encouraged 11-12-13 because so many kids are derailing not long after middle school. He encouraged preparing for that and pursuing it at a young age. I wish that Holly had gotten hers when we got yours. I don't know if she will ever feel like that is important. I love my blessing and the guidance and comfort it gives. He encouraged reading it often and allowing the spirit to guide your life. It is true that often the way we think we should go and the way He sends us might be opposite!  We need to have faith and be open to His direction in our life!

Talk to you soon and love you lots. And the ducky thing is real!!! There were three ducks on my lawn again this morning!! Love you ducky!

04/11/23 Happy Easter!

Tom Tom Squires

 Well we already got to talk to you today but I'll try to find something interesting to share with you anyway!

Diane and Eldon Griffin

First off, hope you are feeling better!!! It's no fun to be sick. I hope you snuggle in for the evening and wake up chipper and well tomorrow!!!

Adam and Bonnie Squires
Ben's Brother and wife

Well I think we already told you, but the dishwasher saga continues. I ordered a new part on Amazon after receiving a rubber ring instead of a heating element last week. The part didn't arrive until Thursday. I was super excited to finally complete my repair.  Only, guess what? The part that said it was compatible...was NOT compatible.  I mean...maybe it was...if I'd have bought MORE PARTS!!! (Think of a light bulb and the base. Some have fat bottoms, others are thinner. Well the thread on my new part was much smaller than the original. So if I had some different connectors maybe it could have worked).  BUt I didn't. SO I sent that part back. And ordered from GE AGAIN and hope to heaven they can get the right part shipped to me sometime soon!!! I'm so weary of washing dishes by hand!

Laura and Ben Squires

Ok, another funny (not funny) story. Do you remember last year when I hunted for months and months to find a matching picture from for our mayor's wall? Well I finally found one that was close enough that noone noticed it was exact and then they decided to "refresh" city hall. Which of course means painting and changing lots of stuff. Including the Mayor's wall. So I recently removed all the mayors from the frames they were in and put them in brand new frames. Then I had to mount them to the wall. I was given double sided sticky tape which I carefully put on each frame and placed the Mayor's on the wall. A little later I heard a splat. Went out into the hall way and found a frame down. Put that one back up...again. And again. And again.  So like 5 - 6 frames popped off the wall before I went home. 

Nick and Jack-Jack Jackson Squires

I took the time to carefully replace each one. 

The next morning I come in and a dozen Mayor's are all over the floor!!!  

SO, my maintenance guy gave me 38 lb double sided sticky tape...and I started over. Again. I changed out all the fallen mayor's and a few more. I left just a couple that seemed fairly sturdy on the wall.  Two more were down on Friday. So I need to get the last couple and then maybe, just maybe, that wall will be good!!! 

We had AJ visiting all week. He was a pretty quiet house guest. Becca was in Florida visiting her sister. AJ kept busy trying to sell real estate and dirt biking. 

Later in the week Bryce and Marlee and baby MoMo came and stayed with us. 

Grandpa Quack Quack (Rodney Griffin)
Holly Griffin, Erik Wagner
(Engaged to be married November 11, 2023)

Friday we went to the art fair -- walked around and enjoyed all the exhibits. Then we came back and got a Don Pedro's Party Platter for dinner. 

Saturday we played pickelball with AJ too and then he headed home. B&M, H&E and us headed out to Hurricane for the annual car show and then had DQ. 

Our activities were fun and just a couple of hours -- enough excitement but not overkill!

Lemon and chocolate mini bundt cakes
yummy
Made by Holly and Shelly

My friend's (Ruth Holyoak, from work) husband died on April 1 --  he has been really sick with an illness similar to ALS -- where your brain is intact but your body fails you in every way possible so that you are trapped inside your body unable to talk, care for yourself, get around...it sounds seriously AWFUL.  So it was a blessing...but also...so sad...he had just retired and they were planning to enjoy some retirement things together - trips, a home in Parowan, they are financially set up just right.  They had everything...but then poof...they didn't! Breaks my heart. 

Potato Crescent rolls
delicious!

She has been an absolute saint but wow what a trial!We went to Keslie Isom's bridal shower...her mom invited me the other day...I felt like it was a last minute -- hey just happened to run into you so I'll invite you...but I assumed there would have been a bunch of 9th warders invited. Holly and I went over. NOBODY from the ward was there. NO.BODY!!! What the heck?!  That ward was always so supportive of each other!!! There should have been so many people there!! I don't know what the heck happened!    She had a nice turn out - but they were her college friends and family. We were the only non-family, non-college people. So surprising to me!

Marlee and Bryce and
Imogene (Mo-MO) Griffin
Her first day at Church1!!

I have been struggling with a knot in my neck for quite some time - I went to the Chiropractor awhile back and he fixed it and then I did something and it started hurting again. I went in 2X last week and have another appointment on Monday. I don't know if I'm sleeping wrong, sitting poorly at my desk...or just what I'm doing to mess it up!  I hope he can figure it out soon!

I hope you had a happy easter -- We had so many musical numbers (I even went up and sang with the YM/YW).  Our sacrament meeting was about 1.25 hours and it was mostly just singing the whole time.We did have a couple of talks but they were short. 

Andy by his Maverick
after church on Easter

Today we went to Laura's house and had Easter dinner. The crowd wasn't too big...E&D, H&E, B&L, N&A jackjack and tom tom, Ben's brother and wife Adam and Bonnie and GPA Griffin. We ate out back and of course there was SO much food. Bryce and MoMo came over after dinner and hung out a little. Everyone was excited to see her.

Gpa bore his testimony that he believes in Christ and that in all his studies of science he has never found anything to contradict his belief. He talked about how the BoM and the Bible have been here for many years and they have also never been "unproven".  It was a good testimony. He talked about the power of prayer and how each of us can communicate with our heavenly father and he will be there for us. He is all knowing & powerful. 

Holly an Imogene
after the car show

Laura followed up and talked about the red eggs that is a tradition in other countries. She made a bunch of red eggs that she had on display. It was also a good testimony of Christ. She talked about how people would take the eggs to their neighbors and declare their belief in Christ and it would bring good luck to them. 

We have some eggs displayed on our mantle - to remind us of Christ and what he can do for us. 

Pops, Mo-Mo and Bryce

Love you lots! Talk to you tomorrow!  Sweet dreams Hermana!

Shelly and Andy

Andy

Erik Wagner, Holly Griffin, Bryce and Mo

Marlee Bryce and Mo-Mo. 

Kelly Campbell and Andy Griffin
Friends for a long time! 
Also fun to run into Kelly!

Matthew Young and baby
Bryce Griffin and mo-mo
Babies are just a couple weeks a part
Matthew and Bryce were in school
together and scouts. For many years!
Fun running into Matthew!

Jody and Kendall Turner
with their son Jared's kids

Marlee and Holly

Andy

Holly, Andy, Marlee, Bryce, Mo-mo

Miss Sr Universe Marianne Hamilton
and her husband Doug