Grateful for Many Things

We are always grateful for the slowing down of the garden. It is a blessing to be able to grow so many things and share them with so many others, especially our children. 

BYU is surprising so many with a strong win in football. It's so fun to be on the winning team.

We had a wonderful dinner on Fast Sunday at Clark and Dianne’s home. They always have a home full. We are so thankful for their willingness to share with us.

Monday the fourth my sister Karen Marble turned 84. She has always been an incredible sister for me. She was my hero in every way and I love her with all my heart. I just wish she lived closer.

Voting was a struggle in that we did not like the two running, but we feel the best one won. Trump. It snowed that day so that was a good thing.

Thursday we drove to Taylorsville with the Seamons to do a session. We love to visit the new temples. We are so blessed to have so many close to us. We are so thankful we have the health to do this and the friends who go with us.  

Saturday George made the best zucchini bread ever. He is a great baker and he always shares his cooking.

Sunday the Batchelor’s had most of the meeting. Baylie and Kristin talked and we were able to watch it on our TV. This modern tech knowledge is amazing. We are so blessed and thankful that we can have this in our homes. The mutual kids sang a beautiful number with Baylie and Jalen singing with the youth and David directing them. It was mainly a Batchelor Sunday. 

Clark and Dianne invited us over that afternoon to celebrate George’s 80th birthday. He is suffering because he can't believe he is so old. I just laugh.

Thursday the 14th Kristin and the kids flew in for a visit. We are so thankful she can do this because of her working with the airlines. 

The 16th Tiffani flew her kids up for a visit. Kristin took my car and picked them up at the airport and then brought them home by way of Clearfield so they could visit Ashley’s family, then went to Clark’s home for a visit. It really wasn’t a relaxing visit because we put them to work decorating our home for Christmas. They did a fantastic job and we are delighted with the outcome. Our home is so happy now. I did nothing, not even cooking the dinners. Clara did the cooking. How thankful we are with the grandchildren whom we love so very much. We are blessed so much. 

Little downstairs tree and train

Nutcrackers

Top nativity from Israel, Bottom is delft style from the girls and George for my birthday.

Nativities 

Painted when the kids were little and played with by several since then.

Tree from Guatemala

Puzzles and Christmas village

Erik and Parker came over to help us with the outside lights. We are so grateful for this help because we can no longer do it for ourselves.

When Saturday the 16th came, they went to the BYU football game at 8:00 p.m. They wore many layers and were so cold and sadly BYU lost to Kansas. I stayed home with Jalen, but Dad went with the girls and Cameron. Some time in here Jalen and Asher were able to get together. The kids loved seeing a drifting of snow.

Kristin flew out Saturday from SLC and the Jennings flew out on Sunday after we went to Ashlee Bayles’s homecoming. She returned from her mission in Moldova after being called to the Ukraine . It was a beautiful meeting. It was a short visit, but filled with laughter. 

Monday the 18th we were lost without the grands. They were so polite and helpful and continuously teased their Granddad which he loved. It was an empty house.

Friday the 22nd Dad came down with a bad cold and stayed in while I had a little hard time. Those grands were just what we needed to push us to be very thankful for such wonderful children filled with laughter and teasing. We are so blessed.

Saturday the 23rd we started our Christmas puzzle again. We will be more careful this time. Max and Ruth brought us a load of leaves to put in our garden for next year. It makes a difference.The next two days were rough. I didn't do much and stayed home.

November 26th we went to Saratoga Springs and did a session and after were each able to do seven initiatories. We love that.

November 28th was a great Thanksgiving at the Clark Bayles home. It was perfect. There were roughly 17 people there and it was so wonderful. Dianne’s father was there whom we love so much. It was a noisy fun and many blessings were expressed. Clark asked everyone to say what they were thankful for and it was a tender time. We are so blessed with our families and friends and pray for everyone to have good health and many blessings. It was just a wonderful time together. Family is everything. The gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ is such a blessing and the only way to live.

Lily is now in the MTC learning what is expected of her. She is so ready and anxious. 

We now have three missionaries serving in different places. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to live and serve Him. We are so blessed.

Conference & Cougars (October)

We started this month with Dad watering the garden and picking up many apples that had fallen from the trees. He made some yummy cider. 

The next day we had doctor visits with our dermatologist, Dr. Huber, for our skin, and then went to Dr. Gardiner because of Dad’s bell's palsy. The doctor felt very good about how it was doing and thinks it may even recover. Good news. We have excellent doctors.

Thursday we drove around Utah Lake. We were in the truck so we could go very far. It was so fun to be together and just enjoy the day. Of course Dad got out and cut some branches to make canes. He loves working with wood. It was a very relaxing day. The next day he made his delicious cereal with oats, honey, and dried fruit. YUM.

Saturday the 5th we spent the day listening to the brethren. Elder Eyring conducted this session. The speakers were mainly from the Quorum of the Seventy. We love this time to hear messages of encouragement in living the gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is so important to hear their messages and renew our feelings and knowledge so we can improve daily. Many children sang in this beautiful building with such tender hearts. They sang Holding Hands Around the World, Gethsemane, and When the Savior Comes Again. It was so touching and beautiful.

Sunday was another day filled with the spirit of the gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Elder Oaks led this day. Every speaker was filled with the spirit and the time went by way too fast. The afternoon speakers were also filled with goddess and joy. Elder Brad Wilcox was one of our favorite speakers. It was his first time speaking in a General Conference meeting and he was dynamite. He spoke especially to the youth and was so loving and spoke with such love and understanding for our youth to cling to. We had tears in our eyes knowing he is such a loving man and wants the youth to follow Christ. He was the second-to-last speaker and everyone left with such a good feeling. The last speaker that evening was our 100-year-old prophet, Elder Russell M. Nelson. He was unforgettable and spoke with such love and truth. He was strong and filled us with hope and understanding for the future. 

Monday evening the 7th filled us with Baylie and tennis and the twins filled us with volleyball. We love that we can watch both on our big screen downstairs.

Wednesday the 10th we went to Dr. Russell. It was a great report and Dad can now lift 25 pounds and in two weeks he can be free. Dr. Russell had never done a harder surgery. What was supposed to be three hours turned out to be eight. He said it was the hardest hernia he had ever done.

Two days later Tiff and family came for the BYU game. It’s always fun when we have family with us. We won again. 

While they were here, we joined Clark's family for the annual fall harvest.

Sunday was a great stake conference. Even some Primary kids talked. Wonderful!

On Tuesday the 15th, we went to the Saratoga Springs Temple. It rained so hard. YES! We love the temples. And the rain.

Cameron came on Friday the 18th. 

Scott and his family went for the weekend to the mountains. He sent pictures of such beauty in the snow. George went every day to make sure Scott’s dogs were OK and fed. He also checked on the chickens and fed them. The eggs were beautiful.

Sunday we went to Springville for Kelly Bayles’ Ashlee’s homecoming. She was changed to the Moldova mission because Ukraine was too dangerous. She gave a beautiful message. Cameron was with us and we took him to the airport after so he could go home and serve.

Tuesday the 22nd we went to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. When we got there, Dad realized he didn’t have his names. He did a Chinese name instead (1916).

Wednesday Dad took his truck to Clint’s to get it inspected. While he was there, he found out that Clint’s son Spencer was engaged. 

On Saturday, BYU won again. It was in Florida so we didn’t go. They are undefeated.

Sunday was Lily’s farewell because she has been called to the Birmingham Alabama Mission. It was such a special meeting. Her talk was so filled with the love of our Savior and so wonderful. Her brothers and sisters sang an amazing song about our Savior. Even William and Beatrice sang. It was a tear jerker.

The 30th, my brother, Debert Hanks turned 84. He has been a great brother to me and we love him.

Our house is filled with Halloween. We have leftovers from my teacher days. We love the different decor.

Our missionaries are still Camden and Cameron. Camden is really good with the language and we see Cameron often. Cameron is going to extend his mission. We are so happy. Life is good and we love it.

Wild, Wild, West and Medical Setbacks (September)

This month started with Jessa’s birthday, Sept. 1. She is a wonderful addition to our family because Parker Bayles fell in love. We love this addition. 

Of course we were in the garden and doing our chores. We continue to do the same temple covenants each Tuesday and Thursday. We are so blessed to have so many temples close. 

On the 4th Clark and the twins had birthdays. The girls are so sweet and have so much fun. The girls continue to love school and be with friends. They are amazing. 

Clark is getting older, but you would never know. He loves his family and all the relatives and friends end up at his home. 

The Bee Master

The Jennings family came for a BYU football game. It’s always fun when they come. Tiffy’s in-laws came for the game, which included a tailgate party with amazing food. Her nephew Carl is an amazing cook and loves to feed people. His relatives also come and paint their faces for the game. BYU won again.

On the 5th Jalen ran his first cross country race for the school. He’s quite the runner.   

Dad went to see Dr. Healey, but he couldn’t find anything wrong. As we were leaving, he opened the door and said, “Wait!” He lifted Dad’s shirt and said you have shingles. It’s so painful.

We went to SLC the next day to attend Marilyn Valenzuela’s funeral. It was amazing. She loved to crochet blankets and the chapel was filled with people for whom she had made these beautiful quilts. The chapel was filled with them. It was a 2-hour funeral, but it was filled with laughter from the many stories the grandchildren told. When someone talked about music, everyone started singing the songs. What a beautiful way to say goodbye to such a great lady. The funeral was filled with stories and laughter.

The next day Riley and his wife, Bailey, invited us to a luncheon at Brick Oven. There was a fun group and the food was so yummy. We hadn’t been there for years and it brought back so many memories. They serve the very best homemade root beer. The feast was because Bailey graduated from nursing school. She is now on the payroll. YEA!

Sunday the 8th was a very special day because we were invited to go to a Sunday meeting to introduce a new YSA Stake with all young people. Erik was introduced as the bishop of one of the new wards. Every ward is new. It was a very special meeting and we were able to go to his setting apart afterwards. We were so humbled. He will be loved by his ward. The youth love him and he in turn loves them.

Thursday the 12th we went to Adriana Ojuka’s reception. WOW! It was in the Highlands and every house was huge and amazing. When we got there (the husband's home) everyone was so friendly. Everyone in the family was so friendly and huggy and introduced us to their children. It was a happy night. We just felt right at home. They are a beautiful family.    

Friday the 13th was a special day in that Tiffani had her last cancer surgery. It was very difficult, but at the same time wonderful.

Erik and his family (Shanelle and Asher) continue to mow our lawn every Saturday. Dad took a turn one week and he immediately knew why he loves that they do this for us.

When Dad got out of the temple Friday morning, he felt different. He knew something was wrong. He slipped on the lawn when he got home and came in knowing something was different. He called the doctor, but he does house calls on that day so he couldn’t see him. When he didn’t feel any better on Sunday, he went to an Insta Care and the doctor told him he had bell's palsy. She gave him some pills and his eye was very drippy and painful. They suggested he buy an eye patch to cover his left eye. It was very uncomfortable and hurts.

Monday the 16th he called the doctor and the doctor sent in an order for some pills for bell’s palsy. We then left for our trip to Colorado and Silverton. We picked up the Seamons and headed for 

Durango. I was really nervous because Dad had to keep that patch over his eye, which meant he could only use his right eye. We stayed in the Super Wyndham. We had ordered a place on the Silverton Rail Road. We had ordered a car that had no windows or a top. We wanted to be able to see the beauty of the area. It was an old steam engine train and absolutely perfect except it rained the entire time. It did not phase us at all. The nicest young man was doing things for us the entire trip. We knew it would be cold so we had warm coats. He gave the passengers rain gear so we were not too cold. We loved the sound the train made when the whistle blew as we stopped to add more water to the engine. We followed the river the entire way and were so excited. He offered us hot chocolate and hot cider and even warm cookies as part of our cost. He also gave us a bag to carry our coats etc. It was amazing. It took a little over three hours to get to Silverton. 

 

Included in our package was a night at this old cowboy hotel. It was perfect. It was exactly like the one in the movies, The Great Imperial Hotel. The desk gave us each a $50 ticket to eat wherever we wanted. We thought we were in heaven. It rained the entire day and the town only had two streets that had running mud. 

The next morning we just walked  the dry streets and had a yummy breakfast while we waited for the train back. It was a beautiful blue sky and the day was perfect. The trip back to Durango was perfect.

We had a great time. Dad ran out of pills so they sent him some to Durango. We got to Wal Mart at 7:02 and they said they were closed and wouldn’t give him any. Crazy. 

The next day we headed for Cortez and a fun antique store. We stayed at the Baymont Hotel, which was very nice and we were so tired. The Wal Mart there had been told about Dad’s pills. The gal there was so nice and got right on it. The company wouldn’t let her give them because we had tried so many times, they thought we were selling them. The gal would not let it go so she called and called and finally he got the pills. The antique store was a disappointment, but we had a good lunch there. We finally made the trip home with Dad being a great driver the entire time. We had a great time, but were very glad to get home.

Saturday Tiff and family came for the BYU/Kansas State game. It was very exciting because BYU won again. Dave’s cousin again fed everyone before the game. He’s an amazing cook. Dad and I stayed home and they used our tickets. No one wanted to leave the stadium because of the great game. The streets were so crowded and the food places were full even after midnight. Dave and Cameron didn’t want to leave so Tiff and the twins walked home. It was wild. They didn’t get home until after midnight.

After church everyone took a long nap and then the Jennings drove home.

Wednesday, Scott took us to the hospital for Dad’s hernia surgery. It was supposed to be a three-hour thing, but it was taking so much longer, we got very nervous. Finally, at 8:00 Scott was able to drive us home. The doctor said he would never do a surgery like that again because it was the hardest he had ever done. No lifting over 10 pounds. With the surgery and the bell's palsy, Dad had been through enough. Scott took me to Costco to buy easy food for dinners and then headed to his own home. I don’t know what I would have done without him. Dad is taking a lot of pills for the bell’s palsy because of the pain.

Home at last

One of the best things about all this is that Dad was too out of it to drive, so for the first time in 3 1/2 years, I drove to Walmart. I am now a liberated woman.

The 28th Uncle Mark had his 85th birthday. What a great example he is for our family.

Our missionaries are doing great!

Elder   Camden John Bayles

Camden and companions

Elder Cameron Jennings