June 27th Monday

I have been communicating with my family at home.  I have always wanted to go to the Ranch for the 4th of July so I am trying to talk them into coming to the Ranch to met me, so that I don't have to take the bus home.  The Ranch is a beautiful place where Neils family will have their family reunion.  It is owned by their family, but it is wonderful.  They have their own fireworks and the whole town gets together for them.  We would be able to sit right under the fireworks and watch them. I would love it, but we will see what happens.  Right now I am getting involved in a project.  Crystal's husband served in Afghanistan for 18 months in the war over there.  He brought all his army suits to Michelle to make a quilt out of.  She has had these for 4 years and because he is going to be here for the 4th we would like to present it to him.  So I had  Michelle get out all the stuff and we have been cutting out the quilt today.  We are cutting out a front and a back.  I think it will look awesome but it will take some time.  We will do it when the children are asleep or are busy doing something to occupy their time.  It will be fun.

June 26th Sunday

It has been a wonderful Sunday.  We had breakfast and soon it was time to get ready for church.  We all worked hard at getting ready.  I attended Sacrament Meeting and Sunday School then I decided I had better come home.  Michelle needed more rest so I tended the baby.  Sometimes Sunday's can be hard.  I told Michelle that is because it is the Lord's day and Satan works extra hard on that day, so we just try a little harder.  Neils sister that lives in California will be arriving tomorrow.  That will be fun for the children because their cousins will bin in town.  Val has tried to help in every way possible.  She seems to be asking to help and wants to bring us food.  But they are planning a family Reunion which she is trying to get ready for on Thursday.  Plus Grandma isn't doing well and she has been monitoring her and taking care of her.  She has been taking to much of her medication, so the family needs to watch her.  It is hard to see people you love get older.  She has fallen a few times and that doesn't help.

June 25th Saturday

It has been a great day because I am with my daughter and her husband instead of at work and that is wonderful for me.  It isn't that I hate work but it is always a blessing to be away sometimes.  Certainly and excitement for me.  I've tried to be here for Michelle today.  She has had a nap and I have taken care of things.  Her baby is so good and so fun to hold.  Grace and Emma like to hold her, and when I am busy doing something it is nice for them to be of help.  Little Tyler is having a rough time.  I think this new addition to the home is probably harder on him than any one.  But he is the only boy and probably feels a little out numbered at this point.  We did have a lot of fun today.  Neil and I and  Grace, Emma and Tyler went down to the little river running by the farm and caught tiny fish and tadpoles in little nets.  I carried the bucket and the children dumped their wonderful catch into the bucket.  When it got to full and to much dirty water, we would dump the bucket out and start all over.  We had a fantastic time, while the rest of the family was home taking a nap.  A great adventure for us all.

June 24th Friday

I came to Michelle's and little Clara is so cute.   Now they have 5 children and Michelle has her hands are full.  I am glad that I am able to come and help out.  I was picked up from the bus stop by Michelle and Tessie. Michelle had a baby 2 days ago I did not expect to see her.  But her husband was super busy and couldn't make it.  I was certainly happy to see her and little Tessie.  The first thing Tessie wanted to know was where is Kimberly and Tamara.  Silly little girl!  I explained to her that they were back home.  I guess when she sees her grandmother she just plans on Kim and Tam being right behind.  When we arrived at Michelle's home I got to hold her precious baby, and soon it was time for bed.  So into the bottom bunk I went.

June 21st Tuesday

Michelle called and she had her baby.  She was 8'4 and 20 inches long.  I am so happy for her.  She had the baby naturally with no drugs. Her deliver once she got to the hospital was about 2 hours.  I am so glad that she was blessed to have her baby so quickly especially when she had no pain killers. Today is Neil's birthday so Clara was born on her Daddy's birthday.  I am sure that all of her children are so happy.   They will buy me a ticket to come to take care of Michelle and the baby.  I am excited about that.  But I have a baking class on Thursday so I hope that the ticket is for Friday.  I will go when ever they need me, I am excited to take care of the children and help Michelle.

June 20th Monday

Our Beautiful Quilt.  I love the colors.

This is the beautiful quilt that I and the Activity day girls made for Sister Eshelman. It turned out fantastic.  The Activity Day girls got to take it over and present it to her.  I think they should be plenty proud of their work.  Thanks to Lisa it was quilted by machine beautifully.  Thank-you everyone. I am sure she loved it. I made up the pattern so I was so happy when it turned out.  I is surprising what you can do when you make your mind up to something.

June 14th Tuesday

Lisa went back home, we will miss her and her wonderful children.  My children are good mothers and continue to amaze me with the things that they do.  It is fun to have them around when they come to my home.  I taught another class on rolls and more today.  I have never had a class turn out so good  I made whole wheat rolls.  Then I made orange rolls.  With the left over dough I made an Engllish T-ring.  It was amazing.  I took the orange roll dough and rolled it out.  Then I took some butter and spread it all over the dough with a pastry brush.  I sprinkled cinnamon chips over the dough.  Then I rolled it up in a long roll.and formed it into a ring. (it looked like a christmas wreath) I cut every 1" around  the wreath about 3/4 the way into the middle. Then I twisted the dough.  It rose so high.  It was amazing and tasted so good.  It was a recipe that was made by mistake and yet it couldn't have tasted better.  I have realized through doing these classes that I can still make some good food.  That is nice to know.

It is my sisters birthday today.  I tried to call her and she wasn't answering. I feel bad that I didn't get through to her.  Families are really important and I know that.

June 7th Tuesday

I had a wonderful time doing my class today.  I made 12 grain bread and popped amaratha foccia bread.  It was so fun to teach ladies that were interested in learning.  I love to teach the classes when I have a lot of imput.  It was a successful class.  If you would like to see the bread you can go to my 16andme blog and find the recipe with a loaf of the great bread.  It is a bread that my husband loves and I am sure that you will too.  I has been a great day and I am glad that I have had the opportunity to do the class.

May 26th Thursday

Lisa did a beautiful job quilting the quilt.  It was all finished when I got home from work today.  I was so grateful that it was done.  I had a class today on Dehydration.  Every time I do this class it isn't easy.  It takes a lot of preparation at home. Dehydration and more dehydration.  I made beef jerky and dehydrated a dot of vegetables so I could blend them together to show everyone how to do soups with the left overs from your garden.  I dehydrate green peppers, zucchini and yellow squash.  I also do onions and tomato's if I have them.  What ever I have I use.  I grind them all up and then add a couple of tbsp. to my soups.  It is a great way to use up any extra things in your garden.  Anyway we had a great class.   I also dehydrated some fruit and fruit leather. But when I arrived home it was time to get busy and do the quilt with the activity day girls.  I quickly cleaned up what needed to be cleaned and then prepared for the girls.  I was so glad Lisa was here to help me because it isn't easy teaching young girls how to bind a quilt.  Some girls did an awesome job, but others made a real mess.  After they all left I fixed the quilt.  Now Tammy can take the quilt with the girls to deliver them to Sister Eshelman for her little baby boy. It was fun to teach the girls a new skill.  I makes me understand that we all need a little experience behind us, when it comes to being a teacher.