The Truth

Madalyn showed Joe and I the family picture that we took in August. She said, "Madalyn is crying." I asked her, "Why is Madalyn crying?" Madalyn put her hands on her hips and said, "Because I'm throwing a fit." And I asked, "Why are you throwing a fit?" She said, "Because I wanted to play in the water."
We laughed and laughed.

Spiritually Prepared

Sunday Oct. 25 was Ward Conference for the 27th Ward. I got someone to play the organ so I could be to Sacrament meeting and listen to Dad. He did a great job and talked about staying away from the edge and when you do some temptations will not even come your way. President Naaken talked about being spiritually prepared. He challenged us to be to Sacrament meeting early so we have time to prepare ourselves for the sacrament. He said when he rushes in for interviews they don't go very well if he hasn't had time to prepare for them. Also when we rush into the temple we most likely don't have a very spiritual experience. Then he told us of the experience he had last week in which he was attending the funeral of his 44 year old brother-in-law that died of cancer. He was not looking forward to the experience of seing his sister (he said he was really close to her) and her 3 children (a 2yr old girl and 2 boys 12 and 14 I think). What a neat experience it turned out to be for him because she was spiritually prepared and they had also prepared their sons for this experience. He drove the boys to the cemetary and said they told him about reading the scriptures and Family Home Evenings preparing them to go on without their father. He said he was impressed to tell them that their father would be a ministering angel to guide them. He then talked about how we replenish our physical food storage and we also need to replenish our spiritual food storage because we never know when it will need to be called on. He ended with a quote he said was from Ezra Taft Benson (Ensign Nov. 1986), but when I looked it up it was actually stated by Marion G. Romney (Ensign May 1980)
“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness” (Ensign, May 1980, p. 67).

I'm so glad I didn't miss this spiritual experience and how it helped increase my spiritual reserve.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Our Stake had a Preparedness Fair a few weeks ago. Of course there was a section on cooking with our food storage. Dad and I were amazed at how soft and good these "whole wheat" cookies are. I have made them several times since. I took some to Oregon for Karen and her family to try. They also loved them, so here is the recipe.

4 cubes of butter or margarine
4 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
Cream the above ingredients together and add:

7 cups whole wheat flour
2 1/2 cups oatmeal
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
Mix well and add 1 PACKAGE OF CHOCOLATE CHIPS. Drop by teaspoon onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake 350 for 10-12 minutes.

I have a silicone mat so I don't grease the cookie sheet. I did use the Ener-G Egg Replacer. For each egg I used 1/4 cup water and 2 tsp. of Egg Replacer.

General Conference

I was looking at the website sugardoodle.net and noticed they have lots of helps for young children to participate in General Conference. There is also a General Conference Notebook on lds.org in the Friend. We are looking forward to a great Conference Weekend. Love you all.

All Together At Last

I think it is time for me to get my pictures of the Family Reunion posted. It's fun to remember what a fun time we had. Thanks for a great week. We Love You.


Jacob and Andrew singing "Tootee Taw Taw"

One of the water fights
Loving the Swings

Feeding the Tribe


Elaina in her own world

Kenney Reunion in Fillmore

A Trip to California for Justus's Baptism

On Thursday July 9, 2009 Joe and I flew to California. We worked around the Bradleys yard on Friday and then went to a baseball game of the Visalia Rawhide Team. On Sat. we worked and played and then went to the Stake Center for Justus' baptism at 4:00 p.m. It was a wonderful experience to be a part of. John baptized Justus and on Sun. July 12 Grandpa Stott confirmed him. In the evening we flew back to Las Vegas and drove home.

Justus and Jared getting a ball signed by Tipper, the mascot of the Visalia Rawhide baseball team.
Jared getting a hug from Tipper.
Justus and Jared
Elaina ready to play baseball.
Playing baseball in the backyard after the work was done on Sat. morning.
Grandpa running to first base.
Grandma helping Elaina play too.

Justus and John ready for this important ordinance.
After Justus was baptized, we went to "Hometown Buffet" which was Justus' choice for dinner. We are all filled up at this point.

Trip to Oregon

I wanted to post some pictures of Karen and Steve's family and home from my visit June 23-30. Happy, growing, Isaac.
Isaac sucking his thumb.
Playing Pretty, Pretty Princess at the dining room table.
Rings on their toes.
All ready for church. This is taken in Loralee's room.
This is their backyard. The sandbox is in the corner. In Oregon you plant shrubs for a fence. This is the same type of fence they had in their old home.
This is taken downstairs at their pink bar. You really have to see the whole room to appreciate the Las Vegas look.

Catching Up

As far as I know this is the first time Daniel had pulled himself up to the gate. Jacob was pretty excited about it.
Andrew, Daniel and Jacob swinging in their backyard.
I got to take Andrew to his first soccer game while Bonnie and Doug were vacationing. Here is Andrew kicking the ball. It was really fun.
We went to the Como Zoo after Bonnie and Doug came back from their vacation.

The fence is finished and we love it.

Building with the Lincoln Logs while Justus and Jared visited Grandpa and Grandma Stott June 6-10, 2009.

Justus and Madalyn just hanging out.
Grandpa and Grandma Stott holding the newest addition to the family. Kenney Lance Stott born June 16, 2009. He weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. 18 1/2 inches long.

The Block Arrived

The block arrived this afternoon. I will probably have a fence when I return from Minnesota.
East side of home.
Do you like all our tomato plants? We also have peaches, so there better not be any late frosts.

The Fence

Digging the footing.
The cement truck is here at 8 a.m.

The footing was poured today (5-15) on the west side of the house and part of the back yard.
Building steps so the concrete doesn't just run down the hill and also to make it level.