8 months out and 1st transfer

Well its transfer day for Eder Jones! He is very excited. Where is he going? Who is his new companion? We can only guess. Some very nice ladies who go to the transfers posted these pictures for us old moms dying to know whats going on. Perhaps you can guess with me?

I recognize his stuff-brown suitcases, striped pillow case, etc.

I think these might be his zone leaders or something they are in a couple of pictures, but could be a new companion he's leaving with.



Do you think its Elder Cabrera? He's in a line with him.


Or how about Elder Cannon?


My guess is Elder Cabrera, what about yours?

This has been a great week. Ken and I went with the Youth to the temple for Baptisms For the Dead. Trevor and I researched names and found several in the Jones line. It was wonderful to feel that we might have found some names and can now do the work for them. The boys took care of the baptisms (and a few young women) and now Ken and I have some work to do. Good reason to go to the temple regularly.






We also had a great Easter, even with tons of snow. Melanie, Jayden and Aaryn were with us for a few days. Jayden is a pro easter egg hunter. Aaryn we had trouble motivating him - even candy in the eggs didn't work too well. Oh well, its was fun having them around.

Trevor and his friends hanging out at the mall after a track meet. They look pretty cute. (one of the girls helped them coordinate) Don't tell him I put this on the blog.

Soon we are heading to Arizona for Kamry's blessing. I will post pictures when we return. Warm weather here we come. (Ely has not figured out that spring is here-we have had snow every week lately)

I am officially a White Pine Substitue Teacher again! First job on Thursday at the High School. Ready or not here I go!

Singing Time

We had a great singing time a week ago. We played "Compete for the Gold". It was a combined event, where the kids had to sing 3 songs and they were scored 1-10 on how well they did. I had the Priests come in to judge. The kids did amazingly well, of course the prizes were treats so that really helped. A jelly bean for bronze, a gummy worm for Silver, and a fun size candy bar for Gold. Two of the songs we had just learned and then we threw in a ringer of "I Am A Child of God". What was great was everyone was singing - this rarely happens, so I was very excited.
This week our primary split into Junior and Senior so we have two small groups. We were learning "Follow The Prophet". For Junior we marched around the room and out the door while learning the chorus and I was holding a poster of President Monson. They did really well, and at the end of primary both groups met for closing exercises and we were singing the song one last time, when we got to the chorus I asked them to stand up and march. Jared Fonger figured that meant out the door, and he headed out and down the hall. No one could understand why he took off, but I'm sure he was just "Following the Prophet" haha!
I am really enjoying my calling! Can't wait for next week!

It seems the older I get the harder it is to remember things and the more things I have to remember. One of these is birthdays of my kids, spouses, grandchildren, extended family, friends, etc. I use to just keep it all in my brain, but now that doesn't seem good enough. So I created a Birthday/Anniversary Calendar to help me remember. I still have more names and dates to add, when I find some more hearts, but until then, this will help me keep on track.

I have been enjoying my calling as primary chorister. It has been a long time since I have spent so much time preparing for a primary calling. I'm enjoying making posters, games, and being creative with teaching songs. My goal is to figure out how to get the boys to sing. This is about the 7th time I've had this calling, but the last few times have been very short term. You would think by now I would have it together. I'm grateful for all the blogs I've found, that help spur my ideas (see the side of my blog for some of these if you are interested).

I am also keeping busy with Independent Study Classes through BYU. They keep me very busy. I just took my first College Algebra test and received at 95%, I am very excited about that as I haven't had a math class for about 30 years and this is a pre-calculus class and I basically started from scratch except knowing my times tables and other basic items.

Alex is doing well in Texas and will reach his 1/4 mark in a few days. It's hard to believe he's been out that long, and yet I miss him so much.

Trevor just finished a great season with the JV Basketball team. He ended up being one of the lead scorers for the team, and always put forth his best effort.

Spencer just finished his first play "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" where he had a minor, but essential part.

Both Trevor and Spencer are looking forward to an exciting Track Season that starts practices this week.

Ken is busy as the Young Men's President and work, and of course keeping up with BYU Basketball.

Well March is just around the corner and spring will be here soon. So on to more adventures, challenges, and the joys of life.

First Granddaughter Arrives

Kamry Renae Bennett arrived on February 2 after a long induction. In the end it went quickly and Selina did very well. She was born at 6lb 6oz and 20 inches long. She is just adorable in pink and is a very good baby. She sleeps alot and is quite content. Richie wasn't too sure about her but really liked to look at her, just not to touch her. It took a few days to convince him to hold her a little so we could get a picture. Grandma is back home now to take care of the boys, but misses Richie, Kamry, Selina, and Bobby. We had a busy week and everyone was amazed that Selina and Baby were at church on sunday. Like mother, like daughter I guess.












Proud Big Brother
First Day At Church

Richie and I had a great time reconnecting and had a great adventure on Wednesday climbing Poston Butte mountain. Trevor did is Eagle Project here and I wanted to see if they had finished the sign that goes on the top of the mountain, so Richie and I set out for the top unplanned as you can see by Richie's shoes. About half way up, he wanted to turn around, but I urged him on. He decided he had to stop every few feet-pick up a rock-and toss it. It took awhile to get to the top, and then no sign. Richie wasn't sure it was such a great experience. If we talked about it he would get sad, and insinuate Grandma made him go all the way to the top. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Mountain in the distance
Inappropriate hiking wear

Making it to the top!

Back to the car, Yeah!

January Snow

Today is a rather snowy day here in Ely, NV. I sent Trevor out to shovel the back path and this is what he found. It started last night and just stopped this afternoon, plus we have had snow most of the week.

I have stayed inside working on sewing a blessing dress for my soon to arrive granddaughter. I made two so I would have one on hand for future needs. I haven't made them in several years, so I had to relearn.

December 2009

It seems I have been very busy lately. I have been working to finish a couple of my independent study classes - Biology and Church History. I received an A- in Biology - much better than I did when I was younger and I'm waiting on my final for Church History, but I will probably receive a B+. I am currently beginning a College Algebra class and an American Heritage class. Meanwhile, I have put them on hold for a couple of weeks while I try to get the provisions off my license so I can substitute teach in White Pine County again. I have 2 tests on Tuesday for US Consititution and Nevada Constitution and the following Saturday I have to take the Praxis (General Knowlege -hopefully) then the following week I have to take a week long class for Nevada School Law, if all goes well I can get my license sometime in February. So as you can see my time is filled with review.

The holidays have also been busy. Thanksgiving was filled with family and Christmas was shared with Melanie and family. We also had the privilege of talking to Alex on Christmas Day. He was allowed to use Skype to call us, so we were able to see him as well as talk to him, it was great! Melanie's family was here all week and we had a lot of fun. Christmas Eve we combined with our friends the Briggs' and went caroling at the Care Center and the Hospital, it was great to see spirits lifted through the music of the holidays.

First moments of Christmas!

Aaryn wasn't sure about his toys, so Jayden decided to check them out!

Aaryn & Jayden loved the wagon Grandma and Grandpa bought for them! They kept Grandpa busy for an hour pulling them around the house.

Aaryn loved eating the snow!

Spencer pulling Jayden on the sled - Fun in the Snow!

Aaryn helping himself to dinner leftovers.

Oh and I can't forget our trip to Rexburg for graduation. Chelsea and Zac received their Bachelors! This is an amazing feat! I am proud of Chelsea for perservering and finishing even while having a baby during her last semester. Elder Scott was the guest speaker and had great advice for all of us, if I can find my notes, I'll pass on some of the info.

So life is full and we are happy. Our life is like a Roller Coaster, some ups and some downs, but through it all we are grateful to have each other. So as 2009 comes to a close we wish everyone a Happy New Year and pray 2010 will bring lots of blessings, but no matter what the challenges are we pray you will have peace in your heart and know that all these things will be for our good, if only we rely upon the Lord.