Hibiscus Tree

When we first moved into our home on 9813 Spruce Dale Drive, the Hibiscus Tree was in full bloom. It was absolutely gorgeous. The following year, it looked as if the tree had died...no leaves...no blossoms...just dry branches. I loved that tree. I said a prayer around the tree, fed it Miracle Grow and talked to it occasionally. We had a few leaves that year...enough to encourage us to keep it for one more year. JOY is having our Hibiscus Tree bloom.

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First Day of School

Noah has been fighting a fever of 101 degrees. At 8:00 am, his fever broke...just in time for the first day of third grade. He had to hustle and was 15 minutes late. JOY is that he was well enough to go. His cough and fever returned and so his first day of school was cut short. He brought home a packet of forms to be filled out and returned. I love to fill out forms!!!

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I Love to See the Temple

I love to take photos. The Temple is always a beautiful subject. I find JOY in photography and the Temples.

(Oquirrh, American Fork, Draper, Manti and Jordan River.)

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Small and Simple Things

Faith is the subject of things hoped for and not seen...like money to pay off a debt? Peace? Talents? JOY is knowing I do not have to see everything for me to believe.

What small and simple things must I be about? What great things can come from my simple mind? There is JOY in knowing I do not have to be rich and famous to do great things.


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Artwork by Arnie R. Fisk purchased at Deseret Book

Happy Pioneer Day

The Choir sang in Church today. It was a Pioneer Medley arranged by Brent Jorgensen. It was awesome to be a part of the Choir. I find even greater JOY in what the Pioneers were willing to do for our behalf. Truly, to think about what the Pioneers is absolutely mind boggling. How did they do it? How did they find JOY in their JOurneY.

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Safety is Key

New Renters...new keys. I was going to take the initiative to get the job done. I took the locks off the doors and put them in a labeled ZIPLOC bag. ( I love ziploc baggies and use them for everything...) My good father joined me for the venture. Our first stop left us feeling hopeless. It was after 5:00 and time was of the essence. We were told that very few business rekey and if they do...be sure to get the price beforehand as it could get costly AND we probably wouldn't have time now to have the locks before the end of the business day. JOY was finding just the right Key Lock Specialist. They were open, quick, and reasonable in the price. We assembled the new locks on the door. Boy! It felt great to have that done.

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Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

Mary, Mary quite contrary...how do your children grow? Now that was funny Tryn. I love the spontaneity of children. I will take my chances on tomatoes.

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Walking Along

Rick grabbed the leash for the dog and said, "Come on family, we're going to take Vinci for a walk." Now that is something we do not do very often. We walked along the canal and to the Marv Jensen Park. Da Vinci was able to run free. I was hesitant at first, but really enJOYed this time and activity with my family.

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More Money Per Square

Rarely do I have company when I go grocery shopping...today, I had the family. I notice a shopping styles are far from the same. Noah does not need food...he needs fireworks. Rick is price per pound and cost per foot kind of shopper. I am all over the Salad Bar. Harmons is one of the few stores I know that still has one. (Speaking of this salad bar...once Rick thought it looked very inviting. He was not in his cost per ounce mood and piled it on. He pulled up to the counter and the cashier rang him up...that will be $14.95. Oh how I wish I had the camera for THAT look on his face.) Needless to say, we had a family adventure...and that was JOY.

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Sprinkler

We have a few dead spots on our lawn. Apparently, there are a few sprinklers that need adjusting. In attempt to quench a thirsty lawn, I pulled out the hose and did it manually. Noah appeared in his swimming suit. He was going to run through the sprinklers. JOY is accepting Noah's challenge to join him. In my quest for joy...I didn't stop to think about it...I just did it...clothes and all. I was more surprised than anyone. It was a blast not to be forgotten.

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Who Knew Working So Hard Could Be Such Hard Work?

Not that we have had much spare time on our hands, but our yard was calling out for some attention. It has been so hot lately that we have let the weeds overwhelm us. At about 6:00, I went out to work in the flower beds. It seemed like an endless sea of dandelions, morning glory and quack grass. It was HARD WORK! Rick came out to join. Put clippers and shears in his hands and pruning begins. The two of us accomplished a great deal. The hours of sunlight melted away and Rick and I finished in the nick of time. JOY was standing back and with the beautiful yard lighting, admiring the rewards of good hard work.

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Clip! Clip! Clip

Noah decided he needed a hair cut. I went along for the ride. JOY is seeing your mop top emerge as a handsome young man. "Sports Clips"...finally a beauty salon for the guys. I totally enJOYed the sport theme creativity. Stylists dressed as refs...sports channel on a flat screen t.v....stadium seating for waiting customers.

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Music Box Dancer

I heard the familiar tune from my old high school days, "Music Box Dancer." It conjured up many happy memories. Then I heard, "It's the ice cream man!!" One of the past times of yesteryear that has not been technologized out...the ice cream man. JOY was indulging and answering the call of the music box dancer.

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SCENTsational

It smells like wet dog when I enter into my home. Solution. Candles...lots and lots of candles, frebreeze, and glade plug ins to my rescue. Mission complete.

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He Knows My Thoughts

How do I know Heavenly Father knows my thoughts? Evidence.

*We just returned from the dump. Now the water heater goes out. I thought, "I wonder how long that will sit by the side of our house." The doorbell rings. It is a man named Saul. He happened to be driving by and noticed the water heater. He gathers scrap metal and asked me if he could take it off our hands.

*I have been tutoring two times per week in which I have needed a sitter for Noah. It has always been my dread to have to call around and find someone. I think, "Heavenly Father, how can I do this?" He practically sends me my own live in babysitter.

*I am creeped out by spiders, ants, and any kind of bugs. Living in a basement apartment seems to be a haven for the creatures. In one hour, I swatted five big spiders and a pile of ants. (I try to leave them alone if I'm in their environment...but when they are in mine...) I think, "I hate this...if I find one more spider...Heavenly Father, how do I deal with this?" I am working out in the garage and I hear, "Mam...I am in your area and giving your neighborhood a special on Pest Control."

I know Heavenly Father is aware of me. I know He knows of my concern for the finances and the collection of past rent. I wonder all the time how this will ever be resolved. He knows. He knows and I trust He will provide the way.

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Poppin' on the Apricot Tree

It is such a thrill to be eating deliciously sweet homemade apricot freezer jam (by me under the tutelage of a beautiful neighbor) from the apricot tree in the backyard. JOY is knowing I CAN MAKE homemade jam. One jar never made it to the freezer...it is delectable on my whole wheat bagel.

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