Random Things in June

The madness has begun for the Visiting Teaching Conference scheduled for September 8th. I had it all planned, so when I was released as 1st Counselor in the RS, Jenny said to just go ahead and do it. Okay. The plan is now rolling. First was the design of our little paper shoes. I know I am a crazy chick, but I just had to do these cute shoes made from cardstock. On the lazy side of my nature, I didn't want to have to embellish them once they were made, so I designed 8 different shoes in Photoshop to put into the template I am using. Already embellished (digitally) and printed out on the color copiers at OfficeMax in Mesa. All 80 of them. They are even already all cut out and ready to start assembling. I have ordered little plastic bottles that just fit in the shoe that will hold a homemade sugar scrub for our feet. I want to have a tag on it that says something akin to serving each other as the Savior served by the washing of his apostles' feet. Still working on that. Our theme is a cute one adapted from one that Taya's ward in CA. did. I went online and put RS Shoe Skit in the google bar and Wha-La! Shoe skit complete with altered words to an opening hymn, etc. I think it will be a fun way to inspire our sisters to get out there and get their V.T. done. (I probably need it the worst!) We will be having a fun luncheon of Wedge salads, Flat bread sandwiches, Shoestring potatoes and peach Cobbler for dessert. he he. I am having way too much fun planning all this. I will be posting later with pics of all the stuff. I am doing this the party in a box way, because after all this, I will be in AZ with Grumpy that day for Chance's Baptism. Nonetheless, I am having a great time getting it all ready to roll.

Also this month I am working on our Ward "Sisters in the Kitchen" cookbook. Yes, it is one of those ward cookbooks. However, we did get a pretty good response and I have typed about 250 something recipes into our online cookbook site. Granted, all categories were not well rounded at first, but thanks to "Frannie Frugal" and "Imma Pinner", we are looking pretty complete. It should be a great addition to our cookbook collection and I can't wait to see it all done.

I am also in the throes of planning Homemaking Meetings. (or trying to). If anyone who happens to read this has any great ideas to share, they would be more than welcome. Of course Pinterest is ever in the idea nook, so there are some really great things I would love to do from there. We'll see how all that goes in a month or so. It seems like the hardest task is getting people motivated to do anything. We don't have great resources here and it is really hard to find stuff that is fun, useful and economical. Of course online ordering helps when you can't find stuff. Just takes longer. I guess I can't procrastinate so much anymore.

And the pioneer trek clothes. Jordyn and Taylor get to participate in their Stake Pioneer Trek coming up in July. I am working on skirts, aprons, pantaloons and bonnets for her to wear on her adventure. I hope Summer can find stuff at Goodwill for Taylor. I loaned him a pair of Papa K's suspenders. I have his Americana ones that he wore while building his house. They are the only things that kept him from losing his pants. I hope they work as well for Taylor on this trek. Can't wait to hear how all that goes for them.

I am going to spend some time with Taya and her "mini family" for the better part of July. We are going to put together some rag quilt bedspreads for her two short beds that Emmy and Lauren sleep in. Long ago we had shortened mattresses made from regular twin sizes, so they are short. Kids don't need a long bed for quite a few years and it's amazing how much extra room they have in their room without the beds taking up so much space. A couple of summers ago I went and shortened the bottom sheets of a couple sets of sheets so they would fit properly on the beds. They turned out well and are well used. Now it's finally time to get some bedspreads done. Taya has been busy painting their furniture lime green, so after my visit they will have a new room (so to speak). Exciting stuff. I will take pics and post our adventures in quilt making when they are done. We are also hoping to do some organizational tasks while I am there. She will be my experiment in organizing for a homemaking meeting I hope to have in October. I have some fun projects in mind. Hope they work.

All the July Birthdays are about to begin. It is a crazy month for birthdays. August too. I am still getting some amusement out of the "it's so hot outside" complaints here. It is hot, but they have no idea how good they have it here. There is always a breeze. We are not talking 112º + either. It is a little more humid here, but not as bad as I thought it would be. Now AZ is HOT. Tawna called the other day laughing about a facebook post she had seen. It read: "Satan called....He wants his weather back!!!" I laughed a good laugh over that one. I've always said I am thankful (mostly) for the hotter than hell weather in the AZ summers. It keeps most of the winter visitors and the rest of the country from moving there. Works for me.

And so it is today. The first day of July.

Aden's Eight is Great!

The reason for our trip home in June was Aden's Baptism. I can't believe he is eight already. Jade and Jeff's boys are growing up so fast. They are all baptized now and soon the priesthood ordinations will begin. Wow. I am grateful for their family. Grateful that they are striving to go and do the things they need to in order to raise their kids with a desire to serve the Lord. That is no small task in any day and age, and especially not easy now. I love the men in white. Aden was so nervous and a little scared that everyone would be looking at him. (He is a little on the shy side) He did just fine and his Daddy was there to help him through it all.

The men that were in the circle to bless Aden with the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The priesthood is a powerful thing and I am further grateful we have such committed priesthood holders in our family. It is a comforting feeling to know they are there for us in our families. From the left is Jamie, Papa K. Grumpy, R.B., Papa H. Jeff, Heber (Jeff's Dad), and Nathan. In front are the brothers 3, Jaxon, Aden and Ryker. Handsome men, all of them.

Lunch at the Olive Garden (Aden's choice). He does love his Olive Garden. It was quite a group! We had two waitresses that did an amazing job taking care of this motley crew. Just keeping up with all the kids drinks was a job by itself! So glad so many could come and enjoy the day with the Jarvis'. These are the days we live for. (well, I do anyway) Below is Taylor and his crazy hair. He is such a great young man. Gotta love the crazy hair. (you should have seen the back to really appreciate it).

I hope Aden will remember this day always and know how much we love him. I am writing these things down so that someday if he reads this he will know what a special day it was for him. He truly has such a sweet spirit and I know he will grow into a fine young man.

We love you so much Aden.

Father's Day 2012

After a grim Father's Day last year, we had a good time celebrating that holiday this year. We were in Arizona with our kids, (most of them anyway) and it was a fun time. Robert found this funny shirt and of course Grumpy loved it. He loves T-shirts and Hats! He has quite a collection of both. I need to remember to rescue the shirts before he wears them completely out and start saving them for a T shirt quilt for him someday. The hats....I don't know. Right now they live in several boxes in various places. We had both our Dads over for dinner that day. Grumpy picked Swiss Steak for his dinner. Everyone helped and it was a grand dinner. Our attendees were Gramma and Papa Harmon, Aunt Kay, Papa Kanaga, Jade with Jaxon, Ryker and Aden in tow, Robert, Jamie and Summer with Jordyn and Rylee along. I can't remember if Taylor was there or not. I should have posted before I slept a lot! Tawna and Nathan with Faith and Chance went to San Diego to visit his Dad, Taya and Kevin and their family were of course in Buellton and R.B. and Stacie were on an Alaskan Cruise. I was a little jealous that we weren't there too, we loved our Alaskan cruise. Would totally go again. Someday.

Tawna made this fun card and some Snickerdoodles (which I ate most of) for Grumpy before they left for California. She did these cute cards with her activity day girls and got them all ready for their Father's Day. Summer and Jamie got a great orange (Grumpy's fav color) bucket and stocked it with popcorn and M&Ms. And Almond Joys too. I must confess, I got the M&Ms, but I didn't get into his Almond Joys or Popcorn. He does love his popcorn. He ate some of his Almond Joys on the drive back to Midland. Good stuff!

Taya has pictures for him, but I will pick them up when I go to see her in a few days. Jade wants to treat him to his first pedicure. I have to be there to see that! It was a great day. I love all the happy noise and the whole 3 ring circus that goes on with so much family. We got Papa Harmon a large box of Jiff to Go! Individual portions of peanut butter for him to take with him wherever he goes. He loves peanut butter! My brother and sister & I got Papa Kanaga an apple tv gadget. Now he can get all his documentaries and other shows he likes on NetFlix, etc. He will enjoy that. Some of our boyz (above) on Father's Day. Good Food, Good Times, Good Family.

What's better than that?