"I love to see (and attend) the Temple"

I just love spending the day at the temple. I have to admit I hate the thought of giving up a whole day to go, but it is so worth it once I get there. There were about 12 members of our ward together and we had family names from 2 members. We did initiatory work and an endowment session, so it was a real blessing. I didn't have to drive, was in good company all day and made a quick visit to the bookstore also. I am hoping to someday live closer to a temple, but for now, I will try to remember the wonderful feelings I felt today and continue to attend at least once a month with the ward. For those who live close to a temple, I hope you appreciate it.

On the down side, I had planned to call Lindsey while in Mesa and she was going to meet us at the temple so I could meet Mayan. When I first got down to the church this morning, I called Ray to let him know I would not be driving and the car would be in the parking lot. I then, hurriedly, gathered my belongings and jumped in another car. It wasn't til I got to the temple that I realized my phone was not with me (apparently never made it back in the purse, but on the floor of my car) . But I will go visit the Morris family sometime next week when Di is in Phoenix visiting her kids/grandkids, she and I will go see Lindsey.

So, now that I am refreshed and uplifted, I look forward to the week to come. Ray and I just completed the family history/temple class in Sunday School and have begun the family search for his family. I am looking forward to seeing what information we can gather and begin the important work to be done for his ancestors. It is such a blessing.

Science Fair winners again!

Cameron (5th grade) is moving on to district level - he will be judged again Tuesday.

And Faith (grade 3) is a little disappointed because for the first time this year, grades K-3 can do a project for the school, but do not move on to district level. But at school level Faith got a 1st place ribbon.

Cameron's was titled "2 Blind Mice- running through a maze" and that was exactly what it was. He tested his mice, Jack and Zack, going through a cardboard maze to see if they did it any quicker for a certain reward. He had fun with this.

Faith did a taste survey (in front of Albertson's) to see if people pick a jelly bean by color or taste. This was just up her alley (talking with people /eating).

They both impressed the judges with their ability to explain their project and not be shy about it.

Science fair projects are my "responsibility". Amy doesn't have time. Grandpa doesn't have time. So, it has been me for the last 4 years and I really enjoy it (if we find something they are interested in doing). And, they have each won every year!

So if anyone needs to do a science fair project and just needs an idea or help, this grandma may have some helpful hints.

UPDATE: Cam won a 1st place at district level and was 1 of 6 top scores (out of 101 projects) who gets to move on to county level

What 4-day weekend? / Happy Anniversary?

Since Amy had surgery on Jan. 29 and then took off 10 days for recovery, she was scheduled to work all this week and everyday of the weekend. Too bad this happened to be our anniversary weekend also. But, seriously, we weren't really planning to do too much about the anniversary since we decided to take a trip to British Columbia in April. So, the weekend starts with Friday and Ray has 2 doctor appointments scheduled in Palm Springs area. I decided to go with him and at least we made a day of it- lunch, dinner and shopping. But reality back in Blythe- Faith had a 8:00 am soccer game on Saturday, followed by Cameron's at 10:30. And it is the last weekend before science fair, so we had projects to finish. Then it happens to be our stake conference which meant a Saturday evening adult meeting and then a Sunday 9:00 meeting for everyone. Busy, busy weekend and no rest for the weary!

But Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband of 35 years! I love him and appreciate his love and support. I am looking forward to a slowed-down version of life with him in the near future.

Blog vs. Facebook

I hate to admit it, but it is so much simpler to just make a comment on FB than to type a post for the blog. But, I miss hearing details about everyone's families. I get on here now and just go directly to Ashley's and Katie's blogs because they are most likely to have new posts. Danielle is good too, Christie and Audra are so-so, Jessica is okay, but, the rest of us, are just lousy at updating blogs. Everyone is busy, some computers are SLOWER than others, and some people just don't think they have any NEW news to share, but we really should try to post more often (think of it as the PARKINS PRESS made easy) if nothing more than writing our history. I will often print the latest posts out to take to Grandma and Grandpa when I am going to visit. I know they appreciate the news and the pictures.

So get back on here and post something! Everyone try to post at least once a month if you can. Thanks

Another catching up post

I am so used to writing remarks on Facebook, and I forget to blog. So here's what has happened since Thanksgiving:

We enjoyed a quiet Christmas Eve and Christmas morning since this was the first Christmas in years that we didn't have kids/grandkids living in the house with us and spending Christmas morning here. So after we all got up and showered, Ray, Ryan and I went downstairs and opened gifts. We got a Wii this year and Ryan bowls everyday, he loves it. Amy & kids came over a while later and then Ray & Brandie with family came later. We had a nice turkey and ham dinner with the missionaries and another single guy from the ward. It was nice.

Ray, Brandie and Josh went home on Sunday but Anthony (16), Robert (7) and Alisa (4) stayed for the week. Amy moved from "just across the alley" to "2 blocks west of us" and Anthony was Amy's biggest help with the move. They now have a cute house with 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, dining room and a bonus room between 2 bedrooms which is the overflow toy room. And it is $300 a month less than the apt. The kids are both happy too.

New Year's Eve was a fun night also. We had the Dean family (m,d, and 4 boys) over for dinner and games. We just played games and ate snacks all night and we all managed to stay awake until midnight. We went out and made lots of noise and then we crashed. It was fun!

The new year started out well. We have beautiful weather in Blythe. Ray (with the help of a cabinet maker friend) made the grandkids a clubhouse for our backyard. It is a real nice house and I think they will have lots of fun in it. If I ever figure out the camera/computer thing, I will send a picture along.

I hurt my back (during Amy's move but not that I was moving anything, just unpacking a box) and was in bad shape for about 2 weeks. It was an old injury re-injured and usually heals on it's own after a few days, but this time it got worse daily. I finally gave up and went to the chiropractor and felt better in 3 days. In the meantime, I was useless around the house. I wanted to sit with heat/ice all the time. I read 2 books in five days and all my magazines. Going up and down the stairs was almost impossible. But all well now.

This last weekend, Di and Rich, Kathy and my mom and dad came for a visit. D & R slept at Amy's and the others stayed here. We had a nice visit with lots of talking and storytelling. We went to Quartzsite to look for a lady who was selling watch faces and Di was teaching us how to make the beaded bands that you interchange with the watch face but we couldn't find the booth. Mom had a hard time walking with her walker on the gravel/dirt, so we didn't stay too long. But once at home, we sat down and did some beading and enjoyed the sister time (yes, we missed you Linda and Rhonda). Thanks Di for your help. I ended up going back the next day with Ryan and kids to find that booth and buy my watch because I was excited to wear my new jewelry. We spent the entire day there, eating good stuff and visiting all the vendors. It sprinkled off and on all day and I thought it would keep the crowds away, but no such luck. But we had a good day and bought some silly stuff. My front door now has a sign that says "This house owned and operated solely for the comfort and convenience of the GRANDKIDS" It was between that and one that said "what happens at Grandma's, stays at Grandma's"

Anyway, that is the latest updates around here (even though it is all old news!) and I will try to be better at blogging on a regular basis.

Thanksgiving minus the pictures

I wanted to post but was going to wait until Di or Amy send me the pictures we took over the weekend, but who knows when that will be- so I will just post them later.

We drove to St George Thursday morning, arriving about 12 noon. The drive was uneventful and nice and quiet (we all traveled in Ray's truck and everyone but Ryan and Ray slept most the way). We enjoyed appetizers and good visiting with Di, Rich, Lindsey and Seth while the kids played with Trinity and Lily. Faith loved being the big girl with 2 younger ones to follow her and play. Cameron was happy to play games on Amy's laptop. We took the kids to a park to feed the ducks because the weather was so nice and we wanted to get out for awhile.
We had a delicious turkey meal with all the trimmings when Adam got up about 400 PM (he had worked the night before and was going to work that night also). And, of course, we enjoyed pie and ice cream a little later. We were all quite satisfied. We talked about the black Friday sales and thought for a minute about getting up early to go, but that was quickly dismissed.

So, after sleeping in a little on Friday and another delicious meal (2 different crepes), we went on a trail down to the river and then up a mountain. The weather was brisk but sunny and beautiful. When we got home, we divided up and the guys went to look at RVs while the girls and kids went to the mall to see Santa and just window shop (no serious shopping for anyone). We also went to a neat new park in town and to Wal Mart. Lindsey, Seth and Lily had gone up to Provo to visit friends for the day and night.

That evening we went to a house in Berry's neighborhood (member of bishopric) who decorates his house to the fullest and does a lighting ceremony with cookies, hot chocolate, music, etc. It was beautiful and the kids loved it. Then we went to the temple to see the lights and visitor center. When we got home we played some cards and visited more.

Saturday morning we hit the road by 8:30 AM and headed home. But we made a stop in Las Vegas on the strip to just walk around and see the sites. I also wanted to check on a wedding chapel for Cami's upcoming wedding. It was a worthwhile stop. Cameron and Faith wanted to stay in Vegas to see the sites but there is too much to see... So after stopping for a lunch break & fuel, it was back on the road. We got home around 5:30 PM, early enough to unpack and relax.

I was able to finish one book I had been reading all week and then start and finish another short book on the way home. I highly recommend this one, "The Christmas List" by Richard Paul Evans. Perfect timing too, when I got home the library was on the answering machine telling me that the book I have been waiting to read for about 1 month was now ready for me to pick up.

We got to see Adam and his daughter Trinity and Danielle, Scott, their oldest daughter Jessica and youngest son Kyler. The rest of their kids were at their mom's house. But it is always fun seeing everyone.

As you all know, Di and Rich are the perfect host for anyone visiting and we sure enjoyed the food and the company (We love you guys) So, needless to say, this Thanksgiving was a perfect one and a nice intro to the Christmas holiday. Hope everyone had fun also.

Just catching up...

For those who don't check FB daily, last week I was able to take a trip to Washington to see my grandkids. Diona's close friend from Sacramento lost her husband to a sudden death and Diona needed to go to be with her and help her with funeral arrangements and all. Since Ric was out on the sub, Diona called me and asked if I could come babysit. Of course she had to twist my arm to get me to agree... So she took care of all the details and the next day I flew into Seattle, met her and kids at the airport, took the girls and keys to the car and she and Seven boarded their plane. Actually, we got to spend about 1 1/2 hour at the airport before they had to leave. And Seven was wide awake and very happy watching his sisters play around.

Diona, ever thoughtful, had put the directions to home in the Tom Tom for me, had made a delicious chicken cacciatore and had it cooking in the crock pot for us, and left me lots of notes with phone numbers, directions and such. The drive home was the worse. It is about 1 hour drive and it was raining cats and dogs. I had driven the Pilot before but was still nervous about it (trying to find the wipers, lights, etc while driving...) and the freeway was actually flooded in spots. I, of course, had dressed like I was still in Blythe, sandals, capri pants, no jacket. But we made it home and enjoyed our time together. The girls were so helpful and we did fine all week. Ric got home late Tues. night and worked Wed & Thurs, but had Friday off. The girls get out of school early on Thursdays so we all went for a nice drive to see some sights that day. Friday, Ric and I ran some errands and "shopped" for my dream 5th wheel and truck. I spent my days at Michaels, JoAnn's, Target and such since I don't have access to those places. And I read 2 books on the flights and there. Diona got in LATE Friday night so Ric picked her up alone.

I flew out Sat at 1:00, so we got up to a sunshine day and took the ferry over to Seattle. The girls and Seven enjoyed that. We had about 1 hour at the airport together also. It was a nice way to end the trip. My flights were all good (4 planes all total and always managed to have an empty middle seat). I was picked up at airport by Ray, Ryan and Cameron and Faith and that was a treat also. Faith dressed up to come get me and she made me a darling welcome home card declaring her love for me and stressing how much she missed me.

I forgot to mention that the Sunday I was in Silverdale, it was stake conference. We were lucky to have from the Presidency of the Seventy, L. Whitney Clayton. The conference was great and went with the theme of eternal families just carrying on the primary theme. The speakers were great and I was so lifted and inspired by this meeting. The stake primary had put together a packet with puzzles, word searches and questions to answer and the girls enjoyed that. I had looked online intended to attend a 9:00 meeting at that building so I was surprised when I got there at that time, there was already a string of cars in the parking lot, attendants packing in the cars like sardines. I found out it was stake conference at 10:00. I have to admit I had forgotten that stake conferences could be that big. So, here we were an hour early and we couldn't find seats in the chapel. And the girls were looking forward to going to their classes and didn't quite understand why we were sitting for so long.

But now that I am home, it is back to reality. I have not only driven the bus again, I have also helped out in the office since the driver trainer is out for awhile with surgery. It was good to be back in Faith's classroom, her teacher was grateful to have me back too since I like to take home papers to grade or cut out stuff for her. The kids in Faith's class are a fun group too. Tomorrow I am a chaperone on Cameron's class trip. We are going to Oak Glen (about 3 hours away) to hike and learn about nature. Oak Glen is famous for apples and has lots of little shops that sell yummy goodies. We used to take the kids there when they were little.

We are going to St George to have Thanksgiving with the Berrys. We are anxious to meet Danielle's baby boy Kyler. Adam will have Trinity there and Seth, Lindsey and Lily will also be there. We are looking forward to see the fall colors and the temple lighting ceremony. Amy and kids are going with us.

I forgot to mention what went on at home while I was gone. Ray had been named driver of the month of March 2009 and so he was up for nomination for driver of the year for Southern California. He and Ryan attended a nice banquet, he got an embroidered jacket and a plaque but did not get the driver of the year (there are at least 20 trucking companies with 12 drivers each in the competition). And then the very next week, Ray got to be part of the Conway pit crew at the Phoenix Int'l Raceway Truck Nascar Race. He got a racing shirt and all kinds of comp stuff and really enjoyed the experience. He had done this before for winning a contest and now he won another contest and got to do it again. Ryan also got to go to the races but didn't get the pit experience. I'm sure there are pictures somewhere which I will post when I figure out where they are.

That about wraps it up. Until the next time....