A wedding, a shower, cheeseball turkeys, #givethanks

Nov. 19th was the day Charlie and Jen had planned for their wedding in the Sacramento Temple.  Just a week before that day, they found out the temple would be closing due to the Coronavirus.  Luckily, they were able to schedule the Oakland Temple, about 2 hours away, for Nov. 20th.  On the evening of the 16th, they found out that Oakland Temple would be closing on the 17th, but they had an appointment open at 7:30 that night. (17th) They rearranged plans, and were able to make it work.

   

Luckily, Robynn and Dick had left a few days earlier from Dallas, and planned to be to Sacramento on the 17th to help them move into their new house.  Tatia was able to make arrangements to be their too,  (she lives about 5 1/2 hours away) but the rest of the siblings lived too far away to change plans and make it in time.  It was a beautiful wedding, and again, it's good to know that important things still happen even with the stupid Coronavirus!

A few months ago, I found out that this cute gal in our ward was having a baby boy.  Her family just moved into our ward before the Coronavirus hit, so no one got to know them very well.  Our ward is so good to do showers for new babies, (we don't have very many since we are an older ward). I tried to think how we could do one, since we can't gather together for one.  I thought it would be fun to do a shower in a box.  I sent an invitation via email to the sisters in our ward, inviting them to join in if they would like.  I think we had 15 ladies bring by a gift that we added to the box.  I asked Robynn to help me with a poem to put on the box, and as usual, she came up with something just perfect! 

I got cups, plates napkins and a little matching centerpiece, brownies, cookies, ice cream and 2 friends who helped me, added the balloons and sparkling cider.  We dropped it on their doorstep and rang the doorbell.  Before we could make our getaway, they caught us.  

 

Mikayla sent me this sweet note to share with everyone who helped make it such a fun time.

Thank You!!!  We sure appreciate all the effort it took to organize this.  We are so grateful for everything we received.  It was so fitting to watch President Nelson's message today, and to receive this today made it extra special!  We are so grateful to all the ladies who contributed, especially those we don't personally know.  I wish we could have had a party and could give hugs to all to see how grateful we are for all they've done and given to us.  #givethanks Mikayla

 I loved listening to President Nelson's message of hope and healing.  He encouraged us to do two things.  1. Flood Social Media with messages of gratitude and put #givethanks                                                     2. Be more earnest in our prayers  It's been soooo fun to see what everyone is grateful for.

A few weeks ago, I saw a picture of a turkey cheeseball on facebook and took a screenshot of it. 

 I thought it was so cute and would be fun to do for my ministering families. 

 I think mine turned out just about as cute as the original.

  I thought it would be fun to make "kits" and take them to my grandkids so they could make them.  

 

I had just finished making them when it was time to pick Jamie up from the airport.  I gave him the kit to take to his kids, and forgot to ask him to take a picture, so no picture of his kids, and Hailey was eating dinner when the girls made theirs. Thankfully, it was a beautiful day yesterday, so we could make them outside with Josh and Jordan's family!  It's hard to believe how big this little gal is getting.  She LOVES to stand up and does it all the time from the middle of the floor.  

She doesn't have to pull herself up to anything. She's pretty amazing!

 

I need a little Christmas, right this very minute!

Last summer, Matt finished a room in their basement for Hailey.  This meant all the girls had their own rooms.  Krista thought it would be fun to put a Christmas tree in their rooms.  She and Lani took the girls shopping and let them get a tree and ornaments to put on it.  When I saw how cute they were, I wanted one for my room.  (I LOVE everything Krista does, and like to copy her) 

Mine isn't as fancy as theirs, I just put lights on mine, but I love it!

Yesterday morning, I was laying in bed enjoying my tree, when Lani called.  Krista was coming to decorate her house for her.  We video chatted, and I got to watch Krista do her magic with Lani's beautiful decorations.  Her house looked Gorgeous!  I had really been enjoying my Thanksgiving decorations, but all of the sudden, they didn't look as fun as Christmas decorations.  I needed a little Christmas, right  that very minute!!!  Krista said when she was done at Lani's house, she would be happy to come and decorate my tree.  I jumped out of bed, and started taking down my Thanksgiving decorations.  By the time I got all my Christmas boxes upstairs and my tree set up, Krista was done at Lani's.  I ran to pick her up, since Matt was working on her car.  I stopped at Walmart and found this fun tree collar for the bottom of my tree.  

She did a beautiful job on my tree too!  I love that I can see it from my kitchen. 

 Krista wrote this sweet post of her Instagram account and posted a picture of my tree.  

Who says a beautiful tree can't be sentimental?  I've heard it plenty of times, either it's beautiful, or it's sentimental.  Well, here's a tree that's both.  This is my parent's tree, I helped my mom decorate it on Saturday, and as we pulled out each set of ornaments, there was a memory or story that went  with it.  We had such a fun afternoon taking a stroll down memory lane.  If you want your tree to be beautiful, but can't give up the sentimentality of Christmas, here's my advice to you.  Buy ornaments that remind you of something.  The year each of my grandparents passed away, my mom added special ornaments to remember them by, hearts for one and angels for the other.  The year she retired from teaching

 Home Ec she added wooden button ornaments.  She's the only one that knows the meaning, but it fills her with joy, and that's what Christmas is all about!

I'm so happy that I inherited Mom's Precious Moments Nativity. I LOVE it!

The internet is so amazing!  I had this fun paper to wrap my presents in, but didn't have any gift tags. 

 I googled red/black buffalo checked Christmas gift tags and wala! I was able to print them off.

I have NEVER put up Christmas this early, but this year I really needed a little Christmas!

Piano Makeover

About 6 years ago, we gave Krista's family this used, piano for Christmas.   It had a beautiful finish on it, but she was ready for a change of color, so she decided to spray paint it.

She did it all in one day, and it turned out incredible!!!  

When I saw it, I knew that I wanted to do the same thing to mine.  I had been wanting to do it for years, but was never brave enough.  We got our piano VERY USED, about 30 years ago.  Mike did a fabulous job of painting it, but it's 30 years later, and was looking pretty sad.   It took me 3 days, but was so worth it, I LOVE how it turned out!

 

  I took mine apart and Mike helped me make a paint booth in my living room so we didn't have to take the piano out to the garage.

I took the other pieces out to the garage and painted them there.

I love how spray paint can make a 100 year old piano look new again!

 

 

We are BLESSED

Every year, when I get out these cute turkey feathers and head that we painted with mom, it brings back such good memories of her.  She was such a fun lady.  She LOVED to make her house beautiful, and I think that is why I like to do it too.  The "We Are Blessed" blocks were Mom's, and they remind me of how truly blessed we are, to have such a wonderful family.  I love them all so much!

Krista and I found this fun pillow this year, when we were out shopping, and it's a great reminder of how very thankful I am.

I love Christmas so much, and it's sooooo tempting to skip Thanksgiving and get out all my Christmas Decorations, but I need to take a few days at least to just focus on Being Grateful!

I am so grateful for my Savior and Father in Heaven.  I was listening to a pod cast this week called All In.  At the end of each interview, they ask,  What does it mean to you to be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The guest today gave one of my favorite responses.  She said it means I get up every morning and put on Christ's Jersey, and be the best member of His team that I can be.  I LOVED that.  I want to think of that each day, and be someone He can be proud to have on His team.  

 

Halloween 2020

Like EVERYTHING else, Halloween was a little different this year.  There were less kids Trick or Treating, and I didn't really want spread germs, (or get any) so we turned on our Christmas lights, porch lights, lit our pumpkins, and  put treats out on the front porch.  

Josh's and Krista's family, decided to play it safe and stay home .

They had a family fun night with treats, games and movies.

I love Mom's pumpkin cookie jar with dry ice.

Jamie's Family went trick or treating with friends.  (Molly is the green M&M)

Jordan's whole family dressed up and went trick or treating.

They really raked in the loot!

Each month we visit all of our primary kids and take them a little treat. 

Right before it was time to go, I thought it would be fun to have a Halloween mask to wear when I delivered them.  There was just enough fabric from the scraps Jamie had given me to make one for Logan, to make me one.  So festive!

I'm glad that even though things were a little different, everyone was able to have fun!

General Conference October 2020

 

General Conference October 2020

I LOVE General Conference! It's so great to be able to enjoy it in our own homes.  Lani invited Krista's girls and me over to watch Women's Conference with her in her beautiful home.  It was so nice to be together.  I have a terrible memory, so as soon as it's over, I have trouble remembering what the talks were about, but I can still remember the feeling I had listening to them.  It makes me want to be better and to do better.  We used to have to wait a month or more, until the conference issue of the ensign came out to read the talks again.  NOW, as soon as they are over, we can watch and listen to them over and over, and I do that.  I wake up very early most mornings, and love to re-listen to the talks before I get out of bed.  It's a great way to start my day.  LDS Living magazine did a favorite quote from each of the conference talks that was so good that I wanted to include it.

Saturday Morning

President Russell M. Nelson-" pray that we as a people are using this unique time to grow spiritually.  We are here on earth to be tested, to see if we will choose to follow Jesus Christ, to repent regularly, to learn, and to progress our spirits long to progress.

Elder David A. Bednar-The consistency of prophetic counsel over time creates a powerful concert of clarity and a warning volume far louder than solo performances can ever produce.

Elder Scott D. Whiting-It is vital that we also ask our loving Heavenly Father what we need and where we should focus our efforts.  He has a perfect view of us and will lovingly show us our weakness.

Sister Michelle D. Craig-Jesus Christ sees people deeply.  He sees individuals, their needs, and who they can become.

Elder Quentin L. Cook-Unity and diversity are not opposites.  We can achieve greater unity as we foster an atmosphere of inclusion and respect for diversity.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband-Your temple recommend reflects a deep, spiritual intent that you are striving to live the laws of the Lord and love what He loves: humility, meekness, steadfastness, charity, courage, compassion, forgiveness and obedience.  We want to go to the Lord "Recommended."

President Dallin H. Oaks-Knowing that we are all children of God, gives us a divine vision of the worth of all others and the will and ability to rise above prejudice and racism.

Saturday Afternoon

Elder Todd Christofferson-There is much we can do as neighbors and fellow citizens to contribute to the sustainability and success of the societies we live in, and surely our most fundamental and enduring service will be to teach and live by the truths inherent in God's great plan of redemption.  

President Steven J Lund-The Savior's mission has always and forever been to serve His Father by saving His children.

Elder Gerrit W. Gong-As we come to trust God, sometimes through pleading in our darkest, loneliest, most uncertain moments, we learn He loves us better and knows us more than we know or love ourselves.

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell-The Lord does not expect us to do more than we can do, but He does expect us to do what we can do...when we can do it.  

Elder Matthew S. Holland-Regardless of the causes of our worst hurts and heartaches, the ultimate source of relief is the same: Jesus Christ.

Elder William K. Jackson-In the culture of Christ, women are elevated to their proper and eternal status.  They are not subservient to men, as in many cultures in today's world, but full and equal partners here and in the world to come.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf-God will watch over and shepherd you during these times of uncertainty and fear.  He knows you.  He hears your pleas.  He is faithful and dependable.  He will fulfill His promises.

Women's Session

Sister Sharon Eubank-Unity doesn't magically happen; it takes work.  It's messy, sometimes uncomfortable and happens gradually when we clear away the bad as fast as the good can grow.

Sister Rebecca M. Craven-Enduring to the end means changing to the end.

Sister Christina B. Franco-I testify that Jesus Christ is our loving Savior, Redeemer, The Master Healer and faithful friend.  If we turn to Him, He will heal us and make us whole again.

President Henry B. Eyring-My experience has taught me that Heavenly Father's daughters have a gift to allay contention and to promote righteousness with their love of God and with the love of God they engender in those they serve.

President Dallin H. Oaks-The Lord has special love and concern for his precious daughters.  He know of your wants, your needs and your fears.

President Russell M. Nelson-My dear sisters, let us not just endure this current season.  Let us embrace the future with faith!  Turbulent times are opportunities for us to thrive spiritually.

Sunday Morning

President M. Russell Ballard-I think often of those of you who are suffering, worried, afraid, or feeling alone.  I assure each on of you that the Lord knows you, that He is aware of your concern and anguish, and that He loves you-intimately, personally, deeply and forever.

Sister Lisa L. Harkness-Our faith increases as we choose to believe rather than doubt, forgive rather than judge, repent rather than rebel.

Elder Ulisses Soares-My dear friends, when we resist the little temptations, which often come unexpectedly in our life, we are better equipped to avoid serious transgressions. 

Elder Carlos A. Godoy-The Lord is aware of the challenges you face.  He knows you, He loves you, and I promise, He will send angels to help you.

Elder Neil L. Andersen-As the world speaks less of Jesus Christ, let us speak more of Him.

President Russell M. Nelson-The Lord is gathering those who are willing to let God prevail in their lives.

Sunday Afternoon

Henry B. Eyring-Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know and love you.  They want you to return to Them and become like Them.  Your success is Their success.

Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi-Where we make sacred covenants with God-the temple-is temporarily closed.  Where we keep covenants with God-the home-is open!

Elder Gary E. Stevenson-Times of affliction and disappointment do not change the watchful eye of the Lord as He favorably looks upon us, blessing us.

Elder Milton da Rocha Camargo-Communication with our Father in Heaven enables us to sort through what is true and what is false, what is relevant to the Lord's plan for us and what is not.

Elder Dale G. Renlund-Loving mercy means that we do not just love the mercy God extends to us, we delight that God extends the same mercy to others.

Elder Kelly R. Johnson-There is no expiration date associated with the power God bestows upon those who make and keep temple covenants or a restriction from accessing that power during a pandemic.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland-Faith means trusting God in good time and bad, even if that includes some suffering until we see His arm revealed in our behalf.

President Russell M. Nelson-If you really want to embrace a new normal, I invite you to turn your heart, mind and soul increasingly to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  Let that be your new normal.

                                I made 3 recipes of Robynn's delicious Conference Crunch, 

I took a bag to all my primary kids for a treat to watch while they watch conference.  

I also took some to all my grandkids.