Mid-January Favorites

Another very busy week, with school family and church activities and responsibilities, but it has not been without its blessings.  Here are a few:

Josh got an email early this week, telling him that his application packet is complete and he has been accepted at the college he hopes attend next fall. Because it is an out-of-state college, we are hoping for an in-state tuition waiver to make the school affordable. That waiver is not a sure thing and we have to wait until after March 1 to find out if he gets one, so while it is great that he got accepted into the college, we still don't know for sure that he will be able to attend. I was told, by someone in the scholarship office at the college, that because his application is complete and he was accepted early in the year, he is in a very good position to  get a waiver, however it is not a sure thing. We are hoping and praying that whatever is best for him will come to pass.

Josh's former mission president (the man in charge of his mission in Mexico) was in town on business last week and and he called Josh and took him to lunch. Josh really loves this guy and thinks he is a great mentor and role model.  It was so nice of him to take time out of his very busy schedule to spend some time with my son.

I used some of my Christmas money to buy this digital scale.  It was on-sale at Costco, and I have been wanting one for while.  I am trying to lose a bit of weight and want a true picture of where I stand each day. 

I spent some time this week in a machine that looks much like this.  I had a mishap on the stairs clear back in September and have had a considerable amount of pain in my left foot ever since.  Two x-rays have not shown a broken bone, but the doctor said sometimes it takes an MRI to show a broken bone in the foot.  Whatever is going on, I decided that after three and a half months, it was time to find out what the problem is, so I went with the doctor's advice and had an MRI of my left foot and ankle. No results yet, but I am glad that the MRI itself is finished.  Hopefully by this time next week, I will know what is up with my foot and how to fix it!

It was club picture day at school last week.  I am one of the sponsors of the National Honor Society chapter at our school, so here is a picture of the Honor Society kids just after the photographer had snapped the official yearbook picture.  The students in Honor Society are great and I enjoy working with the other teacher who is a sponsor of the club. The best thing about club picture day though, is that it signals that the school year is more than half-way finished!

I think I mentioned in a previous post that I am reading and thoroughly this book, which my daughter, Tiffany, gave my for Christmas.  It is the story of an orphan girl from Iowa who inherits homestead claim in Montana.  The story is based on the life of the author's great-grand mother, Hattie Inez Brooks as well as diaries and journals from actual Montana Homesteaders from the early 1900s.  I like this book so much that I have already ordered the sequel to it,  Hattie Ever After.  I hoped to have Hattie Big Sky finished already, but life got in the way.  It will be finished this weekend however, and I can already tell you that it is going to get five out of five ***** stars!

This week was very cloudy and overcast here in the Valley of the Sun. While I do love bright, sunny days, I don't enjoy the heat that accompanies  the sun here in Arizona, so I am always thankful for cloudy overcast days. The rain expected later today is an added bonus!

I will end this "favorites' post" with this quote.  I am trying to be most positive this year, and this is a good reminder.

Joining once again with Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five.

Favorites of the week

This last week was another busy but good one.  There was lots going on, so "better late than never" I am joining with Susanne at Living to tell the Story to remember my favorite things this week.

When a Mormon Missionary completes his or her service and comes home, he or she speaks in church. This is called the Homecoming Talk.  Last Sunday was Josh's Homecoming Talk.

Another young man who served his mission at the same time as Josh and came home the day before Josh also spoke.  At the end of the service, our bishop congratulated both young men and presented them with their missionary plaques which had hung in our church building while they were out serving their missions.

Our second oldest daughter, came form Utah with her family for Josh's homecoming talk.  Here they are in church waiting for the meeting to start.

It was so great to have our daughter, her husband and their children with us for this very special day.

While the grandchildren were in town, we enjoy doing things like baking cookies...

Frosting the cookies and making Halloween crafts.  We all went together to take the cookies to an elderly lady from our church congregation, who also happens to be our son-in-law's great, grand aunt.

My oldest grandson liked checking out some of his Uncle Josh's old toys.

Unless the grandkids come, the toys don't get much use at our house.

Grandpa enjoyed some hugs and cuddles from the youngest.

Forts were built...

...and family games were played.

We also carved Jack-o-lanterns together. 

It was a lot of fun. 

Big Sister and Little Brother.

It is always nice to see my grown-up kids together.

Also this last week, it was Josh's first opportunity to vote and he did so early.

Charly and I also got our early ballots ready and mailed away this last week.  I have voted in every major election since 1980 and consider it an honor, privilege and responsibility to do so. 

Josh has been wanting me to make Pazole since he got home from Mexico.  I finally found the recipe for a slow cooker version that looked like something I could handle.  Here is what it looked like this morning when I put it all together.  It will be Sunday dinner later today.  If you are interested in the recipe, find the link here.

Finally, I will end with this thought which is so so totally true.

Have a wonderful week.  

Homecoming

Josh has been home from Mexico for two weeks now, and those two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity for our family.  Because of that, I am just now getting around to posting some of the last pictures from Josh's mission, as well as his happy homecoming!

This is Elder Reyes and Elder Jones at the Monterrey Temple. Elder Reyes was my son's last mission companion.

The last Sunday before he came home, Elder Jones and Elder Reyes had a baptism.  This is Israel and his mom, Gloria.  Elder Jones was excited to end his mission with a baptism.

Elder Jones, Elder Reyes, Israel and his brother, Daniel.

Elder Jones and Israel.

Elder Jones, Israel, Daniel and Elder Reyes

Elder Goana and Elder Jones - last day in Monterrey.

Elder Thomas and Elder Jones. Elder Thomas was Elder Jones' first companion at the MTC.

The last dinner for the missionaries going home the night before they left.

Here are all the missionaries going home the same day at the end of September. They are one happy group.

Another picture of all the missionaries going home at the same time. What a great group of young men and women who have spent the last two years serving their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His children in Monterrey, Mexico. They all look so happy!

Elder Jones at his missionary president's desk.

Elder Jones with his mission president, President Maucotel and his family.

Elder Jons and Elder Meyers, a missionary from Texas who came out and went home with Elder Jones.

Elder Jones' "welcoming committee" at the airport. 

Mom and dad with newly arrived Elder Jones at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Elder Jones - fresh off the plane.

A welcome home hug from dad.

This picture is of Elder Jones and Elder Austen Haymond.  These two young men met in an institute class the summer before their missions began. They didn't know each other but as they were introducing themselves at the beginning of the institute class, they found out they were both called to the same mission leaving the same day!  They left for their missionary together as 18-year-old boys and returned home together - now returned missionaries.

Two sweet ladies from our church congregation (ward) asked if they could decorate our home to welcome Josh home.

Josh - newly released as a full-time missionary (Elder Jones no more) pausing outside before going back into his home for the first time in almost two years.

The first dinner back home - Josh elected to go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner.

Welcome Home, Elder Jones.  You have served well - now on with life!

Since Josh got home, things have been very busy but good time, as we have been trying to help him readjust to being home.  I'll do another post very soon about some of the other things going on.