Once again behind in the blogging area! Funny how this blogging thing spread like wildfire and then kinda slowed down! Kuddos to those of you religious bloggers. I just cannot seem to keep up!
Anyway two funny things that Josie said that I want to remember!
On the Fourth of July we had an awesome day! We went to the parade with Becky and Nick and Lainee! They are the best! Thanks guys for letting us come and sit with you. The kids loved it and we were entertained as well! Even though Joshy doesn't like parades, he said it was fun! I wanted Josie to know why we celebrated the 4th so I told her throughout the day that it was America's birthday and that is why we celebrated it and we were grateful for our country and the freedoms we have! We had lunch and played at home and then all of us had a little nap! Yeah! That rarely happens here. Anyway Joshy's parents then brought us dinner and we played yard games with his family for a while! It was fun. Then we packed up and went to the greenbelt for the fireworks! I think that the kids were super dooper excited. We got all set up and were sitting anticipating the start! Josie was sitting on my lap all excited and then she turns to me and says
"Mom it is almost time."
"Yep" I said
"Do you think that we will see him?"
See who Jo?"
"See America, mom it is HIS birthday you know, America." like duh? I giggled and giggled and tried to explain but oh well!

We finished our burm in the back this last weekend! Who would have thought that it would have taken all day but it did! Weeding,Transplanting bushes, redoing sprinklers, more coveing with black plastic and then rocks on top of that! BUT I think it looks great! Our kids help and played for a little while but then got bored and went inside for a break! I could hear Trooper crying for something inside and then it stopped and Josie came to the door and said,
"Mom I gave Troop a pancake, and he stopped crying."
"Good" I said
"It makes our hearts inside feel warm huh?"
Yes Josie it does!!

Main reason for not living in AZ!!

Yuk Scorpion!

We went down to phoenix with my mom in May, to play and relax. We drove all the way down which was hmmm . . . . interesting but we did have alot of fun! We mostly just hang around the pool, shopped, went to the park, had lots of bike rides, and got in the pool some more. I really really love Phoenix! It is super fun and beautiful and there is lots to do. Some times the heat might be bad but I really like the heat so I don't think that that would bother me too bad. . . but there is one thing that really might keep me from permenantly living there.

Yep you guessed it. Scorpions! Mostly the scorpions. Now you may say that we have bad bugs here too- or anyway for that matter but...have you ever had a scorpion after you?
We got into the house in pheonix and turned some things back on. Like the A/C the pool etc. Josie wanted some water from the fridge so I pulled it out so I could turn the water to it back on. As I pulled it out we saw a huge scorpian behind it... We freaked a little bit but decided that I had better get it before it ran away. Not knowing very much about scorpians I pulled off my shoe and on one foot leaned over to kill it. (Now remember I am traped behind the friddge in a tight little space) As I lean over and put my shoe down on it-- It comes alive and starts running for me with its little stinger tail thingy flingen for me. It still creeps me out just thinking about it. I start screamen and hopen around trying to get out of its way and out from behind the frigde. My mom is screamen too--but tellng me I've got to kill it before it gets away. So I start trying to dodge it but hit it with my shoe.....luckily I did get it. But scorpions have a strong outer shell that is not like our squishy spiders that you can kill with a shoe and it took some skills and a few tries. It acted like it was dead but the tail thing kept moving so I really smashed it. Later after talking to the neighbors, they said that you aren't supposed to smash them because their eggs can live outside of them and hatch later. So your supposed to catch them and drowned them, but as to how you are supposed to do that I have no idea and hope I never have to try!

Look what we did!!

The leaders of our young woman got together this past Saturday and made these super cute blocks for our YW! We got the idea from another blog! Sorry the pics are so great but the front says "Be thou an Example" and the back it has the rest of scripture that we use for this year and then the challenge that the general YW presidency gave to all of the YW and leaders around the world. WE are to:

Pray morning and night
Read the scriptures at least 5 minutes everyday
Smile
(because we have the restored gospel)

These were super fun and easy to make! I always have a love/hate relationship with mod podge but the end result was great so what do ya do!! hee hee Thanks ladies for all your help super fun!! Love you!

Me's Papa

I haven't posted for a while. We have been busy with sickness, church, and lots of other things. Probably the biggest thing though has been the death of my Grandpa Belnap. I have pondered alot about if I should post anything about this because it is very near and dear to me. We had known that he was probably going to die for awhile because he has had Alzheimer's disease for a long time, but things seemed to progress pretty quickly the last couple of months. Then about a week before he died he stopped eating and drinking. So this wasn't a sudden thing. I haven't had anyone die that was so close to me before so it has been a new experience for me. I had some neat things happen, but I have decided that I will keep my personal experiences to myself in my written journal, but I have a bunch of pictures and a few thoughts that I do want to share here for my family and friends to see. I got to make the display of pictures and some of the things that remind me of my grandpa for the viewing and the funeral. It was a good opportunity for me to remember my grandpa and the wonderful life that he lived.
My Grandparents lived through the field and then later next door to me until I went to collage. My grandparents teased me that I called my grandpa "Me's papa" when I was learning to talk and it stuck. They really have been a HUGE part of my life. I know that I am the person that I am today partly because of them and their great influence in my life. They are the sweetest kindest dearest people that I have ever known.
My grandpa had a wonderful sweet tender heart. He loved the simple things in life. He was a wonderful dancer and a beautiful singer/musician. He was a huge tease too! He always had a story or a rhyme or a huge squeeze for me. He would come up to me almost every time he saw me and whisper to me "Ya wanna know something?" I would know what was coming but I would ask "What?" anyway and he would say " I kinda like you." And I would say "I kinda like you too Grandpa." Probably every one of his grandkids felt this way but I know I was his favorite! hee hee He was such a wonderful man!! He had a strong testimony of he gospel and the temple. He was so jolly and giggly and had an infectious smile!
But his example to me of endurance is the thing that sticks out to me the most.
Because of his disease my grandpa lost alot of the things that he loved. He slowly lost all sorts of things that he loved to do. He couldn't go hunting or fishing anymore, he wasn't able to write or build things anymore, no more driving or going on walks anymore. And then things got worse to where he couldn't speak or remember things. He had to stop going to the temple and then finally to church. I remember seeing him being so frustrated with himself and not being able to say what he wanted to say. It was a heartbreak for me to see him struggle with that. I used to go and just hold his hand in silence and I knew that he knew it was me. He would give me that little squeeze and I knew that he loved me.
It was hard BUT can I tell you that the things that were so near and dear to him he got to keep!! He could still sing. My grandma would have him hum a hymn to me on the phone or when I came to visit and he still could hum the tenor part to most of the hymns. He also LOVED my grandma. He used to tell me alot that she was the best decision that he had ever made. And even though he couldn't talk he still showed everyone that he loved her. He was patient and kind to her and he never as far I saw said harsh things to her. AND there was not a day go by until about 3 weeks ago that he didn't sit and read the Book of Mormon. Even when I am positive that he couldn't read or understand the words he still sat in front of that large copy with a ruler in hand to keep his place. He also could pray. Right up to the end I still got to hear some simple, quiet, humble prayers from him!! Really he was a miracle! And what a great example. He to me is the epitome of enduring to the end in righteousness. I will miss him alot, but the things that he left me with will stay with me forever; his love and his example. And I will see him again. I know it!! I love you me's papa!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

YiKes

THIS PLUS THIS

EQUALS


$%#^&(*$#*%#(*&##^#@**$#@!!!

Yes somehow a crayon got into the dryer. And it was dandelion yellow to boot!! And this wasn't a small batch of clothes either--it was one of those ones that you probably should have done in two but to save time you just cram a little more in. AND it was mostly ALL of my kiddos clothes ya know the pastel ones!! -Needless to say I spent the rest of the day trying things to get it out. I tired the warm iron and paper towels, spot remover, purex, oxiclean, vinegar, tide, soaked overnight and in hot water, and even some suggested using hand sanitizer. Some of the things look ok but mostly they still have it on them. So if you have any suggestions let me know other wise my kids will either be yellow spotted or be naked until spring when I can buy a new wardrobe!

The Feast

Well I am super super duper full!! That is spiritually full!! Wasn't General Conference awesome! I know that I probably say this after every conference but I just think that THAT one was the best one I have ever heard. It is probably because I am getting older and the messages just really hit home or maybe now I listen more intently than I used to. The session that sticks out in mind is the Sunday morning session! Especially Elder Hollands talk on the atonement. There seems to be a talk that sticks out to me more then the rest and that was the one for me. Then Present Monson's talk was right after and then the choirs song and pictures of our dear prophet! It was especially weepy for me and I noticed the others by me were as well. hee hee (you know who you are). I love this time of year, especially the Easter season, to reflect on the Saviors life, mission, and atonement, To celebrate life and rebirth.

I also had the opportunity this year to go to the Young Women's Broadcast last Saturday! It has been a super long time since I have been to that--I don't know if I even went as a youth. What a neat experience it was. I knew before that the attendance for our ward would be super low because there were alot of people out of town, so I was temped to just stay home as well, but I know all to well that when I feel that way is when I need to go the most. So I called Shari and we went together and were the loners of our ward. But I felt super glad that I went and that Shari came with me.
The broadcast was really neat. They talked alot about the new value virtue and how important it was in preparing you for the temple and for your future. The YW President, Sister Dalton shared an experience that really struck me. Some of you may have seen this broadcast and I know I don't remember it perfectly but this was what I got from it. She said that when she was a young women they were asked to pick a symbol that would represent their life's purpose or goal if you will. Sister Dalton picked a white rose, because a rose was always becoming more beautiful and white because it was pure and clean. I wondered what I would pick for my symbol or what my young woman today would pick. She went on to talk about virtue and the importance of goals. At the end of her talk she told us that while she was leaving the office of President Monson after he had just called her to be the new young womens general president, he stopped her and pulled a white rose out of one of the boquets that was in his office and gave it to her. How could President Monson have known that this was the symbol that she had chosen as a youth? This simple gesture that would hold such meaning to her? She said that she took it home and looked at it everyday a symbol to her own virtuous life.
It was such a sweet experience for me as I thought about how the Lord truly truly prepares us and really care and loves and watches each and every individual. That even as a young girl doing a simple thing as a youth, could be preparing her to later be a leader to millions of young woman who need to have a stronger testimony of virtue, of the temple and of our Savior Jesus Christ. I thought of how President Monson's life is full of stories like these, that he is so in tune to the spirit he lives directed by it every minute of every day. That the Lord loved Sister Dalton enough to have that florist put white roses into the prophets office that he could be prompted to give her one to prompt her to reflect on this principle so that she would teach it to the young women of the world. Is anyone still following this? I am just in awe at the mercy and love of the Lord. I am so grateful to be apart of HIS gospel because it really is His, he directs it and leads it and I know that if I will just let him He will lead and direct me too.

Give her a HAND

The second week of March my mom had surgery. For anyone that knows my mom knows that this is a big deal. She is terrified of Doctors. Granted she has had some bad experiences but I cannot remember her to ever go to the doctor growing up, let alone now. SO I am super super proud of her for finally doing something for herself.
She has had carpal tunnel syndrome for a super long time and has need to do something for awhile. So she finally did it! She got both of her hands done and then came to stay with us so that I could help her cause if you can't use either of your hands there is alot of stuff that you cannot do for yourself. . . dressing, eating, driving, ect. She stayed for two weeks and the kids loved it!! I hope we didn't drive her too crazy. She seems to be doing really good.

My parents went to pheonix this last week and will get back on Saturday, then it is her BIRTHDAY on Sunday! So we are going to have a little HAND party for her. Josie and I "Hand" made invtations of Josie hands and inside put this little poem:

Cheryl’s back from the land of Sand

So let party and give her a big HAND

Be sure to “NAIL” down the date

Sunday, March 22, 5:30 ‘til late

At her house we’ll have FINGER food and cake

You can give her a THUMBS up and a HAND SHAKE

We’ll sing Happy Birthday till she feels gay

Hope to see you all OK?

Give me a RING if I’ve forgotten something!

I think that I will have finger sandwiches and chips, some relish trays and dips. I want to make tumbprint cookies...but I don't know what to do for a cake or activities (other than thumbwars hee hee) so if any of you have some good suggestions of how to make this little party cooler please let me know!! Hee hee I think that it will be fun and will let her know we love her!