Our Sabbath Day

We are coming to the close of another month serving in the YSA. March has flown by adding baby sitting the Thomas grandkids, Chaudhry grandkids, and our Trip to California to visit the Towner family. We arrive back at the lake Friday March 21st. It has felt nice and calming to be back at the lake and stay in one place enjoying the beautiful scenery. The lake has been a mirror all week long. So beautiful to see the clouds and the mountains reflecting upon the mirror water. I have spent the week spring cleaning, putting my winter decor away and placing my summer decor in its special spot to display- I have spent time reading my scriptures and Come Follow Me Lesson material- listening to podcast teaching about the Gosple principles along with our weekly lesson- the weather is warming up- Spring is coming !! So nice to have the warmer days melting the snow. I was so surprised when we arrived back to see how much the snow has melted. We had very nice YSA meeting last week- felt good to be back in the branch with me being gone for three Sundays- we were few in numbers last week- sister Smoot fixed us a yummy lunch for our linger longer after our meetings - we had 10 YSA members stay sharing lunch with us and visiting. I enjoyed visiting with Sister Chris Smoot and Sister Linda Rasmussen, Sister Droesbeke- we called it our ministering time with one another catching up on all our events and travels this past month. I love the fellowship with my sisters in the branch. Craig and I enjoyed playing Pickelball with our Bear lake friends in the mornings three days a week. Monday I was up early working on family history research- I woke up thinking about Robert Wayne Bail and his family- going over the sources I spent 4 hrs from 4am to 8am- then took a break to go play Pickelball. I didn’t play very well I was feeling heavy and sluggish not able to move freely. I’m sure some of it was lack of sleep. Tuesday morning we played again and I felt much better- we are strived to cut back on our eating and lose some weight. I’ve got to get down before summer comes. Tuesday evening we had fun weekly activity. We played 9 square at the Bloomington, Idaho gym. We had a yummy dinner- I made my favorite potato salad, sister Rasmussen made barbecue chicken, sister Chris Smoot made yummy chocolate rice crispy bar. We had 14 YSA in attendance. We all had fun- it was a-great activity. The Test of the week I spent time spring cleaning. I wasn’t feeling well on Thursday- aching all over. Stayed in resting working on family history- Melinda Bail- researching all the source I have for her and adding to her source page submitting the info to family search and my ancestry account. She was not linked on family search- or to Thomas Bailes her parents she was missing from the data base. Checking her spouse first marriage I did find a submission listing Melinda - no surname and not linked to her parents. I found she has been baptized and sealed to her first husband and second husband. I need to seal her to her parents Thomas Bailes and Mary- it is a lot of work going thru the sources of her life span and finding the missing clues- Friday Craig and I woke up and got ready for the day. We drive to Logan to attend the Logan temple endowment session - I had two family names to complete-

beautiful picture of the lake this week it has been a mirror all week long- it felt so good to be in the Temple. I had a special experience with the new name - one of my favorite Aunts and completing the ordinance for a 4th cousin on my Bailes family Tree. We stopped by Costco for some groceries getting low at the lake- I need to start stocking up for the summer season only two months away. We have survived the winter months. I worked all week long putting my winter decor away. Saturday morning was a lovely morning in the low 50’s and sunshine. I needed to put out all my pots of spring bulbs I had planted in the fall. To my surprise some of the pots already sprouting. I finished planting what bulbs I had left- they were already sprouting in the storage box- they have their natural time clock to start growing again. It is amazing to see. It will be so fun to see them bloom. I worked hard last spring gathering the bulbs up from the Draper temple flower beds. I could t believe that they throw them away. I took as many as I could gather. It was a lot of work planting them. It will be fun to see what colors pop out- old man winter is not over a storm coming in and I had to quit working in the yard. It was getting really cold. It was snow flurry that rest of the afternoon and we woke up today with snow in the Driveway- I woke up early and able to get to church. I really enjoyed of fast and testimony meeting. We had a large crowd visiting this week. I was surprised by how many there when I walked in. Last week Sunday we were few in numbers. We never k ow from week to week how many attend. We enjoy having the YSA visitors adds to our attendance. We had a great Come follow me lesson time and a great discussion on section 27&28- it had kept me studying even after church today- Craig and I study more about the principles of the Spirit of Elias. Learning thru Joseph Smith he is Gabriel the Angel appearing to Mary and Joseph and Elizabeth and Zachariah, his worldly name is Noah so that was fascinating to connect the dots.

I love one of the visiting YSA sharing about his feelings to not be desensitized against the Holy Spirit-strive daily to fill the Holy Spirit in our lives. I know that feeling. I’m striving to keep the spirit and feel his presence daily- strive to do better this week in saying my daily prayers and invite the Holy Spirit into my daily life. This has been a blessed Sabbath day!

The Snow is Melting

We just arrived at the lake. We’ve put 2000 miles on our black Lexus. We had a nice visit in California with Stacy and her little family. The weather warmed up each day. It was really snowy driving down from Bear Lake all the way to St. George and even over the mountain passes into California or snowy, but spring is coming so surprise when we arrived at the lake how much snow is actually melted. On our way back from California. We spent one night at Buck and Trisha‘s home. Had a nice time visiting with them and then Thursday we met all of Craig‘s siblings Chris and Terri, Scott and JAN and Shelee and Dennis at Zupas for lunch After lunch. We decided to just keep going so we drove to our Draper home and spent the night we enjoy getting up and playing pickle ball yesterday morning. I burned over 1000 cal which felt good to be up and moving and gets really tiring sitting in the car driving that far 12 hour When I got home I started putting my St. Patrick’s decorations away and I spent all day yesterday and finished up this morning decorating for Easter- Easter time is on its way on April 20th this year. It all turned out so cute this year. I bought so fun things at the $store when I was babysitting Ashtyn a couple weeks ago- I pushed to get it all done so when I go back down it will be ready. for Easter. It was so fun to create a Easter Holiday tree- I love the Easter decorations.

A Long Drive

We arrive safely to California about 4:30 pm yesterday. I had to take a nap from our long drive. We left our Draper home at 6:40am and drove straight thru 10 hours driving. We knocked on the door and surprized Stacy of our arrival. We didn’t tell her we were coming. Stacy fixed us a nice dinner- homemade chicken soup- we played uno card game with the kids after dinner. Chad arrived home later in the evening with the boys from a business trip from Arizona. They were all surprised to see us. Craig and I slept like a baby from long days drive I was beat. Stacy and Farrah had to get up early for Farrah’s dance competition today. She had two dances one a 8:45 am and another at 12:48. They left at 6am. Stacy told us to just watch her live stream at 12:48 today we didn’t need to attend. We plan to attend her solo performance. tomorrow. The boys sports events were canceled due to all the rain they have had the past week. It rained and snowed on us all the way driving yesterday. Today was a beautiful sunny day of 63 degrees. After we watched Farrah live stream performance- we went an afternoon drive. We wanted to go see the area along the coast were they had the terrible fires in January. We spent the afternoon driving along The Pacific Coast Highway. It was a very long drive much longer than we anticipated. The traffic was stopping go all along with stoplight. It took us like four hours to find the arrive and then we couldn’t get through because they had their National Guard blocking up the road area only those that lived in the area or construction workers could enter. We did enjoy our beautiful drive along the Pacific coast. There is so much traffic though it took us so much longer when it only took us an hour and a half driving back on the freeway we stopped in. Had lunch at the California pizza. It was yummy. Feels good to be back and rest for the evening. Stacy got back about 330 took a nap and then they went out on their boat to watch the sunset-feel bad we weren’t able to make it back in time. it has been a lovely day. We enjoyed the sunshine and the warmer weather.

Heading to California

We drove down to our Draper town home Wednesday evening. Just not much to do at the lake with the cold and snow with another big snow storm coming in the next three days. We got up Thursday morning and played Pickelball for three hours at the Dimple Dell Recreation center. It is a good group of seniors that we can play with. I was so proud of myself I played much better and won all my games. Last time I played I had a losing streak and lost all my games- I was discouraged so it was a boost for me to win some games this week. Stacy called us yesterday afternoon hinting for us to come for a visit and see the kids is all their various activities this weekend. I wasn’t ready to pack up and go on a trip just after baby sitting for two weeks. The weather has not been good there- we looked at the weather forecast last night ans could see it is going to be cold and snowy in the salt lake valley the next few days and at the lake. The weather forecast for California in the high 60’s which sounds good for the next week. We packed up our things last night at midnight. Craig wanted to leave last night but I told him I didn’t want to be traveling in the snow storm- it was snowing hard! I wanted to see the lunar eclipse starting at 12:3oam but there clouds were hindering seeing anything. I did get up at 4am to take a peak and could see it had cleared but the eclipse had already passed. Darn I I was looking forward to watching it. We do need the snow- we woke up early and out the door by 6:30am - we are driving all day and surprise Stacy with a visit-

Watching Chaudhry Grandkids

We have had an eventful weekend with the Chaudhry grandkids. I finished my baby sitting shift for the Thomas family Wednesday morning. Craig picked up Natasha and Bridger at the airport that afternoon at 1pm- I headed out to Eagle Mountain to pick up Ashtyn at her school. She was excited to have her grandma picking her up-Shannon and Ryan were just leaving when we arrived. Little Ashtyn is such a sweet little girl. I took her to dance lesson that evening. It was cold and raining. I waited for her lesson to complete in my new car. I thought the car was running while I waited for 45 minutes. Well when it came time to leave I had a dead battery. I had to call Craig to come get us. He was on his way out- I had to figure out where the battery was placed- getting the Manuel out found it is place in the back right of trunk area. I had to crawl into the back to figure out how to release the hatch. I was Stuck and couldn’t slide back over the seat- Luckily Craig arrive shortly and was able to jump the car. Ashtyn and I were frazzled from that mishap. She was scared being in unfamiliar car, it was dark, and the power had gone off in the area. I don’t like driving at night with the roads wet and raining. We were glad to arrive home safely. We got ready for bed and both fell asleep fast. Come Thursday morning for her ready for school and dropped her off by 8am- I headed to our Draper home to clean up for the day- I feel much more comfortable at my home. Shannon house I can’t find anything being unfamiliar- the kitchen sink was broken so we didn’t have water to clean and cook. I had a five hours to take a hot bath and beautify myself for the day. I then went and got a pedicure. I was over due had not had one since the 1st of January- it felt so good. From there I had to hurry out to Ashtyn school to pick her up just in time. We went to the $store afterwards. I wanted to pick out some Easter decor for my Easter tree this year- I have enjoyed decorating for the different holidays. Easter is in April this year. Ashtyn was so cute it pick a few things I told her 5 items. She was worried I spent too much money. She was very grateful and thanked me for her treats. We arrived back at her home just in time to meet up with Grandpa, Landon, and Jaxon to go out to dinner at Texas Road House in Lehi, where Cole, Chase and Aubrey all work. It was so nice to visit with them. They are all working hard and don’t have much time off- we enjoyed our yummy dinner, we had another full day. I feel asleep fast watching g Ashtyn playing a video of game. She loves to play mine craft and is really good. It makes no sense to me! She is quick with the remote controll. Ashtyn and Landon didn’t have school on Friday- so we packed up and head out to go to Bear lake for the weekend. Gave us something to do instead of sitting around the house with not much to do. I was nice to have a drive up to the the lake. I had been gone two weeks again. They enjoyed their weekend. Landon went snowmobiling with Tracy Symes our niece and her family for the afternoon. Ashtyn and I went to the Clothing Blue store and picked out a Lake, Wake, Shake sweatshirt and a bracelet. We then went to Mikes to have some cheese curds for lunch. She told me she wanted to go to the Apple Store from the last time she was up at the lake- I took her there. I didn’t know what she was talking about Apple Store? Just as with pulled in the parking lot she saw the apple on the Mikes sign - yes this is the store!! I have enjoyed spending time with our little Ashtyn. The day few by we kept busy. We played farkle and started working on a Bear lake puzzle. Today Sunday we got ready for church and attended sacrament. I woke up Ashtyn and told her we needed to get up and get ready for Church. She asked me what is church? She had not been very often so this was a new experience for her. I told her we learn about Jesus at church. It has been a beautiful sunny day- when we got home Landon wanted to go half day snowboarding at Beaver mountain. It is only a 20 minute drive- I dropped him off for three hours to enjoy the ski slopes. Craig adding get home until 2:30 today from his church meetings. He was tired. I picked Landon up at 4pm and headed home to pack up and take them home back to Eagle Mountian which is a 4 hour drive. We have had another full day- so mad- when Landon and I stopped by the She’ll station on the way down from Beaver Mountain to get a drink and treat I left my wallet on the counter. I didn’t realize it until we got to McDonald’s in Evanston I found I did not have my wallet in purse. I felt really uneasy - thinking I must have left it on the counter at our house but I didn’t see it there when we left- I thought I had left it in the car with the gummy cinnamon bears I had just bought. I figure I better check with the Shell station just to for my peace of mind. Surely u did y leave it there ? I texted Karen Barlow one of my si glue adult sister to go check ti see if I happen to leave it there. Sure enough it did !! I’m so wacky. I have left this wallet all to often. So blessed she was able to recover it- at least I know where it is- sigh of relief! We are almost arriving at the Chaudhry home. We have indeed had adventurous weekend. I’m tired of baby sitting I need a break. I do enjoy spending g time with our grandkids one on one time with each of them building a special bond. Saydee,Karlee and Aubrey are arriving at our Draper home tonight to spend a few days hanging out. It will be nice to spend some time with them. Ashtyn out little snow Angel - they enjoyed their time at the lake-

Still At Thomas Home

Natasha told me wrong on the time of their arrival. Instead of 1am in the morning it is 1pm today. I had a terrible slept thinking they would be arrive home in the wee morning hours I never went into a deep sleep. I woke up at 4:30am really worried I had not heard from them yet. I texted her to find our they had just arrived in Atlanta Georgia and will be arriving in Salt lake today at 1pm. They need a ride home from the airport-Craig is going to pick them up so I can get out to Shannon’s home in order to pick up little Ashtyn at school by 1:50pm- I’m starting my babysitting shift for the Chaudhry family this afternoon till late Saturday afternoon. I’m so tired this morning after getting the Thomas grandkids all off to school I’m going to have to lay back down and take a morning nap. Lincoln is running late can’t get him out of bed and going so this set us behind and in a rush now getting the kids where they all need to be. I’m spent the morning resting and now waiting in the carpool line at Ashtyn’s School- I stopped on my way for lunch to go and eating in the car while I wait for our Miss Ashtyn- so excited to see her.

Thomas Parent’s Arrive Home

Natasha and Bridger arrive home late tonight about midnight. It has been a fast week. The kids have enjoyed my home cooking meals. I have kept busy carpooling them to all their activities. Craig and I both enjoyed playing Pickelball this morning. We came home and cleaned up and went to lunch. I had to take nap after our lunch. I was tired after our Pickelball games. I’m playing better always lots of room for improvement. I do enjoy playing. Shannon called me today to see if I could baby sit Ashtyn the next three days while her and Ryan take few days off spending time in Las Vegas. So guess I’ll start a new babysitting shift tomorrow for the Chaudhry family. I will have time to spend with our little Ashtyn. The weather went from 66 degrees to the 40’s with lots of rain this week. Spring Showers with snow in the mountains.

Quote for the Day

As we focus on Christ and follow His prophet, we too will be led to Christ and the joy of His gospel. President Nelson has taught: “Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives. As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, ‘who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross’ [Hebrews 12:2 This is a quote for the day- on my phone which I love and powerful to remember - joy comes from God!

Monday - It’s March

Yeah spring is coming! We had a lovely weekend. It was up to 66 degrees on Saturday. I took the girls to the Draper Park for them to play. They have these huge slides. They had a fun time playing with lots of other children enjoying the beautiful day. We had breakfast with Grandpa at Jamba he then headed back to the lake to attend his church meetings on Sunday. After our park adventure we picked up pizza and went to our Draper home to watch a movie. Ani had been practicing how to apply gel nails. She put a set on me and painted them so well. I had pretty pink nails for church on Sunday. The boys went night skiing Saturday evening. I drive them up and the took the bus down the canyon meeting them at 9pm. We had a full day- we had a nice day at church Sunday- Craig drive back down after his church meetings. We all had a nice Sunday salmon dinner. We had fun playing the coin game with them. The little girls love playing it. It is always fun when grandpa is around to play game with. Today has been a very busy day for me. I was up at 7am to get breakfast ready and the boys out the door by 7:30am- back home to feed the girls- Ani out the door by 8:30am - get all the garage cans out- pick up Tucker and taking Cora and him to preschool by 9am. I stopped by the gas station to fill up the car pick up my favorite breakfast roll and drink at Maverick and then went to my Draper home for a couple of hours. I had a noon appointment to have my eyebrows permanent laser it hurt but it looks really good. It fills in my eyebrow so they’re not so sparse. It cost $500 but Tasha is paying for it for all my babysitting hours. I then picked up lunch for Craig and I and back to our Draper home for a couple more hours and then picked Lincoln up at school took him to Rasin Cane for an afternoon meal- picked up Cora and Tucker- home sweet home by 4pm- tidy things up in the house - picked up Winnston from a friend home- Arrived back home and started fixing dinner. I made Shepard’s Pie. Little Cora was so cute she said, I love this grandma - she liked her dinner. Craig took Lincoln to Lacrosse practice at 5pm and I picked him up at 7pm. Back home to clean up dinner. It’s 8:30 pm and I’m just sitting down to rest from our busy day. Only one more day. They should be arriving home late tomorrow night. They were thinking about extending their trip to Friday and so glad that their coming home as scheduled. I’m getting tired. Adi their nanny will be taking charge tomorrow so I’ll only need to be here till they arrive home late. The time has gone by fast.