HOLD TO THE ROD(S)

If you didn't see it in the last blog, I added some of Kolton in the  "Is it Spring Already?" blog.

flowers from Kristin and Tiffani

Sunday was as always a great fast day.  After church we went to visit the Fidel Montero family because they were just home from California for his dad’s funeral.  He died suddenly of a heart attack.  It is a hard time for the family.  Again, we are so grateful for the knowledge of the plan of Salvation and the comfort it gives to know our Father in Heaven loves us and has such a wonderful plan for us to follow.

The next day was hard for us in that we realized that Spencer Washburn had called to invite Dad to be in the circle while he was ordained a deacon and we forgot.  How do you forget such an important thing as that.  We felt horrible as you can imagine.  We went to Clint’s work to apologize for our mistake.  He was so kind but we still felt badly so we got some ice cream and a couple of boxes of Oreos and went to see Spencer to repent some more.  We told him how sorry we were and he was so wonderful.  We told him he didn’t even have to share the treats but that if he and his Dad hurried they could have it all gone before Mom got home.  He is so sweet I’m sure he will share.  It doesn’t make up for missing but we just hope he knows how much we love him.  He is a special young man.

We just want to put in a special story on our blog.  One of the times we went to the nurse practitioner for my protein shot, he shared an experience with us.  He was a kid who liked to mess around and drove his parents crazy.  They lived in Northern California so he chose to go to college at Berkley with no intent of going on a mission.  He didn’t take anything seriously and when school was over he went home.  His parents were shocked when at stake conference his name was called to be sustained as an elder.  He put his papers in and was called to serve in Peru.  He knew that was what he should and needed to do but was not overly enthusiastic about going. After getting to Peru he decided to be obedient and give his mission his best  He gained a testimony and worked very hard.  He was made an assistant to the president. Six weeks before the end of his mission he was in the passenger seat when they were in an accident.  He was thrown out through the windshield due to not wearing his seat belt.  An ambulance took him to a small hospital in a tiny town.  When he arrived the doctors found that the skin was peeled off his face and scalp.  The main doctor was in surgery and couldn’t take him so a doctor and male nurse did the best they could.  No one from the mission knew about this accident because of the area.  When the mission president found out he called the area authority who was in the area and told him what had happened.  They had him transferred to a hospital where they often took missionaries and knew the staff.  When they got there they were so surprised by how well the work had been done on this elder.  His face was such a mess and the work done was perfect.  The stitches were well placed.  (When he told us this I got right close and tried to fine the scars.  His nose had been peeled up above his eyebrows and there were numerous stitches all over his head and hair.  I even took my hand over some areas.  There was a minimal sign of scars.  If he hadn’t told me I would have never known or seen any evidence of an accident) The area authority was so impressed with the work that had been done to this elder he wanted to be taken to this first hospital to thank the nurse and doctor.  The elder was being sent home in that he only had less than 6 weeks left.  On the way to the airport they stopped to thank the two who had  done such an incredible job.  When they got there and asked by name for the two, the staff just looked at them.  They said they knew of no such doctors or nurses by that name.  The only doctor at that hospital was the one who was in surgery at that time.  This missionary, who had worked so hard his entire mission, was an assistant to the president, and on his way to pick up an elder who was struggling had experienced a miracle.  He left it to us to decide who the doctor and nurse had been.  It strengthened our testimonies so much.  The next time I went in I asked permission to tell you this experience.  The Lord is definitely aware of His missionaries.

We're back to going to the temple every Tuesday.  We decided if we waited until we were in good health again we would never go.  It was great and we did very well.  That evening we went to Kolton's game in the cold and rain.  He was the goalie.

George made granola and Myra's granola bars Wednesday because it was too cold and rainy to go outside.  They had to delay the state golf finals due to snow.  We're ready for some warmer weather but are so grateful for the moisture.  We need it so badly

We went out for dinner at Ruby River to celebrate Dad losing 15 pounds.  He has really worked hard and been so careful.  After dinner I went to Young Women and learned to decorate those fancy cup cakes.

Thursday I went to humanitarian and George went to carving.  RS finished 3 quilts and had a great time chatting.  It's so fun to do something for someone else.  When I got home the men were there putting up our railings so I won't fall again.  They did a very good job. 

laundry room and
dining room steps

 They also fixed the teeter-totter airplane.  The grands love to play on it. That afternoon we got George's Cpap.  He has one that is absolutely silent and only goes in the nose.  Hope it works for him.  He can check how it is doing on his iphone

Scott came over to bring the kid's suitcases.   We are going to go to their home in the morning so they don't have to wake up so early.  The next 4 days should be interesting.  They'll be spoiled rotten by the time Scott and Beth get back.

Friday Scott and Beth left around 7:30.  We dressed the kids and got Ava ready for pre-school. 

 When we went home Gary popped in to say hello.  It is always good to see family.  He is a kid magnet.
 He was on business and stopped to visit.  He waited until I got Ava from school to leave.

  She loves him.  It was just good to have him in our home. 
The kids were great and went to bed so easily.
Saturday we got up and started off the soccer games.  Camden was first and then Asher. 

Asher

 It was fun and so good to keep the kids happy.  They love their boys.  After Asher's game and lunch, Erik's family came to our house so Parker and Kolton could mow the lawns.

Parker

Kolton

the weed eater

working hard in the play house

After mowing we all went to Parker's soccer game.  Wow!  He is really a good player; more aggressive than before our mission.  It was cold for all the games but Parker's was Arctic.  We froze but had fun anyway.  After the game Erik took the kids to his house while we went to some friends' 80th birthday.  We went back to get the kids and stayed for dinner. 

 It's so wonderful to see cousins get along so well and enjoy each other so much.  Ava and Nixon were exhausted and went to bed again so easily.
We have had so much fun with them.  Families are why we are here.  The plan is to grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ and return to our Father in Heaven as families.  Families are forever and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is so true.

KRISTIN BAYLES BATCHELOR'S BIRTHDAY

At the end of SPRING HAS FINALLY SPRUNG I HAVE PUT A PART THAT GOT LEFT OFF ABOUT KOLTON AND STUFF.  PLEASE GO THERE.

We love our back yard view of Timp, especially with the apple trees in bloom.

Kristin 2 years, dog Two and Mom with  matching dresses

You know we love Sunday's but this one was special because it was Kristin's birthday.  We won't say how old but She's one of the ice age babes.  She was such a good baby and so beautiful.  Everyone stopped us no matter where we were to look at her.  She was very vain about her curly hair and the ringlets I put in it.  She was reading much before she ever went to school and when she was finally allowed to read in kindergarten she came home very disappointed because she had already read Tip.  She would hide under her covers as she got older so she could read when we thought she was asleep.  She to this day is not happy if she doesn't have a book to read.  Just ask David.  We are so glad she found David.  He is a perfect match for her.    She loves to learn new things.  She loves her family and misses not being close enough to come visit often.  We loved it on our mission because we saw her so often.  We wish they were closer now so we could laugh with her kids and family.

A couple of years ago, Kristin did a blog post to summarize her life. She's had some interesting experiences, which you can read about here.

Eternal Family
This week we had our new security system put in.  I think we will like it better than Home Security.  We control it on our iphones.  We can turn on a light, change the furnace settings, turn on the alarm, and have a camera in the basement and on the main floor.  We can just unplug the cameras and move them to wherever we want, any time we want so look out from now on---you're on camera.  We can change the setting on the furnace so the house will be warm when we get home or the air will be cool in the summer.  It's with Vivint.  Rich Goats got us set up with a good program.  Our other carrier had raised the price and we got no service so this is the same price we would be paying anyway.  After the medical bills of $64,000 these past few months we are thrilled to get a break anywhere we can.  Thank goodness for insurance.  Don't know how long Medicare will be good but we're just grateful we had it for all the lovely visits we have made in March and April.  We still have a few more to go.  Hope that's the end.

Well it isn't.  Now George has to have a "sea pap" to sleep at night.  Don't know how that's going to go.  We're just grateful for modern medicine that permits us to live longer.  He will use it for a few weeks and then go in for another overnight sleep test.  Not fun.

Saturday was a big day.  We started out by going to Camden's soccer game.  It's always fun to watch grands do things.  He was a great little player.  We then had things to do while Erik and Shanelle went to 3 more soccer games.  That's what happens with 4 boys.  When the games were over they came to our house to mow lawns. (Erik rode his bike over.  He's crazy.  I think that's about 15 or 20 miles.) The boys do a really good job.  Of course I forgot to take pictures of them working.  

Camden blowing the grass

They are tending a friend of Kolton's for a week while his parents go on a cruise so he was with us.  Great kid.  The boys are saving money for their missions by mowing.  I'll try to get pictures next time.

Asher eating an Otter Pop

After the work was over we had a bar-b-q.  Tyler and Ashley were able to come which added to the fun.  After eating all we wanted we went to the BYU soccer game.  It was such a beautiful night and we won which added to the good time.

Tyler and Ashley are the ones kissing behind us.
We don't know who the brown guy is with Shanelle.

Now Who's kissing!?

We need to have Tyler and Ashley over more often now that it's good weather and we can do family things.  Family is what this life is all about and being together for eternity.  We love the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and are trying to endure to the end by constantly learning and growing in the gospel so that we can be with our family.  It's true.

EASTER 2014

Easter Sunday is always a good meeting.  It is all about our Savior, Redeemer, brother and friend.  How blessed we are to know the true doctrine of Christ and to be a member of His true church.  We are so grateful for His atonement and the opportunity to repent and change our ways to be more like Him. 

After church we got ready to have the kids for dinner.  I was so excited to make my first blueberry yum yum.  It is a Caswell NC favorite.  I had so much fun making it.  They all liked it.  (IT WAS "DELICEOUS"!!) 

Scott' family wanted an Easter picture.  Nixon just woke up.

 Erik and  Scott’s families came and we had a fun dinner of ham, rolls, salads, funeral potatoes, and  desserts.  We ate until we couldn’t hold another thing.  The 4 little ones ate outside.  

best friends

buddies

I cooked 2 hams so everyone would have leftovers.  I also sent rolls home with all.  (We have been eating ham for a week)

After dinner we went outside and enjoyed the day.  The kids played many games and just had a good time together.  Because it is too heavy for Dad and me we had the boys help us move the fishing boat from the back yard around the house to the side yard by the Richards'  All helped.

needed some rear weight

I thought you fished from inside the boat and on water.  Guess not.

Scott and Erik were the leaders. (I'm the leader, I'll say when we go!)

Everyone helped in picking up balls, shoes, food and whatever off the lawn.  I think Nixon thought he was a toy.

It is always good to have family around.  We so missed Kristin, Clark and Tiffani but knew they were happy with their families and they also had the full meaning of Easter.

I don't remember if it was Saturday or Sunday but during one of the visits Erik became the tickling machine.

Monday we went to a luncheon at Thanksgiving Point held by our financial company.  It was very informative and interesting.

We got home in time to have Nixon.  He spent the afternoon helping granddad with all his projects.

 After all the work, Nixon wanted to play on the jungle gym. 

This week Dad helped me scrub all the oak cabinets.  Wow did that make a big difference in my day.  They are now oiled and look brand new.  We visited the doctor to get the info on Dad’s sleep test tomorrow night.  I am not looking forward to a night alone and Dad is not looking forward to the sleep test.  He doesn’t snore now that he has the pace maker and sleeps so much better.
Scott came and treated our fences.  They look so good.  We will one day have to replace the back one but it is still solid but just looks old.  The paint is off most of it.  You can see it in the picture of Nixon above.  I was playing with the grands and hit my head again.  Just a bump on the same cheek as the fall.  (Looks like it came off the Post office wall!)

Dad went to his sleep test.  He even slept which I didn't think he would.  We get the results next week.  I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep without him but I read until after midnight and did quite well.  I almost called Scott to bring Tanis over but I wasn't even nervous.

I was looking at Dad's phone and saw this  picture of the boys with Bronson at the Spring Scrimmage.  Thought you might like it. 

Erik and Shanelle came over the other night and we had such a good visit.  He told about a "feast" they have in seminary at PG High School.  They invite someone to come at lunch time to talk to the seminary students.  They asked Erik.  He told us about his talk and we were so impressed.  He gave examples of his points he emphasized and we must say we had not heard of all the things he confessed.  He was stressing 3 points that he wanted the students to use in their lives.

1.  Don’t just go along doing things that are not bad but thinking you’re okay because you’re not doing bad things. But choose to be actively doing good things.

2.  Surround yourself with good friends.

3.  When the Lord positions you to do something, do it. No matter where you are, you are there for a reason so do what you’re supposed to do.

(Erik, if this is not right just let me know and I will change it.)

We are so blessed to be the parents of 5 wonderful children and 17 absolutely perfect grandchildren.  The Lord knew we had to have good ones to lead us and help us in our eternal progression.  FAMILIES ARE FOREVER and we are so glad.  There's no better place to be than with your own family.  WE LOVE YA'LL.

LOVING SPRING

Easter in South Carolina

It was a great fast Sunday.  We had it after conference instead of before.  I even bore my testimony.  The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is so true.

After church we went to Erik’s for Kolton’s eleventh birthday.  My how time flies.  We can’t believe he is already 11. 

He is a very gifted boy.  He loves art and can draw just about anything with great skill.  He also loves his piano and does very well.  He excels in all sports but the thing we admire most about him is his love of our Savior.  He is a good young man and loves his family. 

We had yummy homemade slushes and delicious chocolate chip cookies Parker had made.  It was just a fun evening.

Tuesday was tax day. OUCH!!!

We went to Bill Strunk’s funeral Wednesday.  He died suddenly while working in his yard.  It was a nice funeral.  His son Dave spoke.

Thursday, Camden’s team in third grade won the school reading challenge. 

He loves to read. That evening we went see Kolton at  the Marriott Center in the “Hope of America” program.  It is put on as part of Provo’s Freedom Festival.  It involves the fifth graders of 70 different elementary schools in the valley.  It was amazing.  They knew every song and all the actions that went with them.  It was truly inspiring and helped one feel the patriotic spirit.

  Afterwards we went to the BYU Creamery for ice cream.  It was just a great evening.

Friday we went out to Erik’s to see if we could help him fix his dryer.  With Dennis Stoutsenberger’s advice they were able to find the problem.  We ended up having a fun hot dog dinner with yummy fresh fruit and veggie dishes. 

The next day we got the water pressure machine from Scott’s to finish the fence. 

This time he was prepared for the mess.

That evening Erik’s family came to our home to mow the lawns.  Erik helped Granddad put a work table together. 

A man cave?

When the lawns were finished we ate again.  We had hamburgers and pasta salad.  It is so fun to have family around.  The boys do a great job mowing the lawns. After dinner Scott and Bethany came over to leave the kids for a few hours while they had some time together.  The two families played all kinds of yard games and just had a great time.

chalk drawings

Quidditch with Aunt Shanell

Winding down after a fun day.

  I’m certain all concerned fell into bed that night.

We certainly did.

We are feeling so good now and love being together.  Spring has come in so beautifully and we are enjoying every bit we can.  We love our family and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

SPRING HAS FINALLY SPRUNG

our tulip tree  edged in brown from frost

Boy do we ever love Conference Sunday.  We had a great Saturday conference but we love Sunday because the kids who live close by come between sessions to have waffles with whipped cream and fresh berries.   We add juice and sausage which the kids really love.  Everyone pitches in and we have so much fun gaining calories.  

They loved how I labeled the cups

We were so uplifted by the wonderful and inspiring talks.  We can always do better and follow the prophet and apostles.  We love the loving counsel given and consider it an invitation to do better.  How wonderful it is to have people concerned about our eternal welfare.  We love general conferences.

A special thing about this Sunday conference is that it is the anniversary of Granny and Granddad’s marriage.  What a great example they set for all of us.

Erik’s family stayed to watch the second session with us.  The boys were so good and quiet.  They are a joy to have around.

  After the session, 8 year old Camden was in charge of treats.  Shanelle had an incredible recipe for them to try.  It was so good and I’m sure there were no calories.

Monday found us cleaning the house and working in the yard.  The place is really starting to look good.  Dad felt so good he used the weed eater, the edger, the tiller under the trees, and sprayed for weeds.  Erik came to finish the tilling in that he needed the tiller but it certainly helped Dad.

Tuesday Dad went golfing for the first time since the pace maker.  He said it was great and didn't cause one bit of trouble.  That's probably going to be a weekly thing.  That afternoon we put mulch around the roses and worked in the yard.  

It felt so good to be outside and warm.

roses on left and fruit trees in back

like brand new

We took Lucy to Clint for her face lift after the side swipe.  A full repair was $2,500.  The do over was only $150. so we were very pleased.  It really looks good.  We spent the entire day in the yard again.  
We put soil on the place under the front windows and in the blackberry bed. 

 Dad fertilized the lawns and I weeded the berm. 

 Dad also took everything out of his shed and organized.  Yeah retirement.

When we were in Saltsburg, Austria, I found some beautiful eggs.   I wanted to buy some but the store was closed for the weekend.  Kristin ordered 3 for me on line for a present.  When we were  in  Old Salem, NC, the gift shop had the eggs from Saltsburg for sale.  I only bought 3 because there weren't many to choose from and they were pricey.  

favorite eggs

We continue to work in the yard and try to make the place nice.  It's hard but so much fun. Dad fixed all the sprinklers so we can have them ready.  
Saturday dad planted our first 2 rows of peas.  It will be 31 tonight but peas can handle that.

the peas and my little shed

At the end of each day we sit on our North Carolinaish  chairs and think of all the wonderful things we are blessed with, especially the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and our family.  We can never get to the end of all our blessings before it's time to go inside.  We love everything the Lord has blessed us with so much, even each other.

Notice the NC bird house,  Loved those flea markets.

This has been left out so I am now putting it in.

what a root system

We had a terrible storm last night and a huge tree blew down at the Reeders’.  It made us think of the time our tree blew down in Millville.

Sunday was fast Sunday because of General Conference.  I have for some time wanted to bear my testimony but just didn’t get it done so this time I did.  I feel it is important to  use our faith and testify of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is so true.  We love it.  The meeting was very good.

After church and dinner we went to Erik’s to celebrate Kolton’s birthday.  He will turn 11 Monday.  He is a special young man who wants to do what is right.  He is very talented in many ways and loves just about everything.  He excels in athletics and loves to draw. He is a good friend to many and loves doing things as a family.  We are so happy to have him in our family.  We had a fun time and had yummy slushes made by Shanelle and delicious cookies made by Parker.  We ate way too many.

I had my last protein shot and hope all will be well now.  Dad and Nixon  pruned some more trees.  They work so well together.  I’m not sure who is in control of the project.