8/7/17 First Time in the Pool for Papa

Today was take 2 for using Gram's chair lift. To be on the safe side we tested it out with David first.

After David and Gram had both gotten in it looked like so much fun that Papa joined in as well.

Next up David and Heidi went to Meet the Teacher at Heritage. They came back with Lincoln, Orson and Laura Jo Phelps. Here goes Orson down the slide.

LJ took her turn next.

Next up was Lincoln.

At 2 o'clock we took the Phelps kids home. We picked up a king sized bed frame from our friends the Hales for Gram and Papa. Then we took Sarah and Rebecca to Meet the Teacher at Mesa Academy. They each had several teachers to meet.

Finally we dropped the girls at home and took Joseph and TJ to Meet the Teacher at Franklin East Elementary.

After dinner of spaghetti with left over Costco 5 meat pizza toppings we had FHE. Mostly the kids reported to Gram and Papa about their favorite things from Meet the Teacher. We also talked about the importance of hard work.

8/6/17 Valiant Airport Shuttle

This morning early I had the chance to take (L-R) Jon, Cathy, Abby, Michael, Aaron, Ben and Nate to the Phoenix Airport. They were flying Hawaiian Airlines nonstop to Hawaii out of Terminal 3. As usual it was a little tricky navigating the airport with construction going on but we appear to have found the correct place. Cathy sent a picture of Brother Holland from our old Kailua II Ward teaching Sunday School. I've heard that the boundaries have all been shifted around and there are new names for the wards.

Later on we managed to get to church early enough that I got to try out the new keys I have for my calling. It's good to know that they work. In family history class I learned about my grandmother Velvia Mae James. She married my grandfather John James Connelly twice. I learned this by finding and a link to their second marriage record. At first it was confusing until Papa explained that his Dad disappeared for a time and then came back with a dog. An Alaskan Malamute.

After church David went with his friend Rushton to collect Fast Offerings. David listed this as his highlight of the day because a family who usually never answers the door did today.

Our dutiful home teachers, Brothers Postert and Lewis came and visited. They were very patient as Joseph and Peter at first wrestled and the struggled (not successfully) to be still.

In the evening David and Heidi went to a Youth fireside. David reports that it was about why it is worth it to work hard in our callings even when it is hard.

8/5/17 West Valley Connellys Come To Town

This morning David lead a team that at times included Rebecca, Sarah, Heidi, Papa and me to assemble a bedside stand for Papa. It came in a million parts but he did succeed. You'll have to check Papa's blog for the photo of the completed project.

In the early afternoon two men came to install Gram's pool lift. In some ways it was a success. The thing feels strong and sturdy. It had no trouble lower Gram into the water. The problem came because the battery was not charged. It did not initially have a charge sufficient to lift her out. After some waiting she was lifted out. I'm afraid it was not the confidence builder we had hoped it would be. Still, I tested it this evening after it had been charging several hours and it went up and down just fine. We'll have to wait until Monday for a more official test.

This evening we enjoyed the arrivals of Jon, Cathy, Michael and his friend Abby. Then Jon and Heidi and I picked up Ben, Aaron and Nate at the airport. We had a fun little visit. They fly out before dawn to continue their journey to Hawaii. The good news is that we get to see them again in a week as they make the return trip.

8/4/17 Temple Visit and Shelves

This morning Heidi and Gram and Papa and I went to the Mesa Temple. We brought 8 female and 5 male cards so that we could do initiatory work for our ancestors. It was pretty neat having all four of us there. We are moving our Temple day to Friday so that it will correspond with David's day off of school. Our Stake President challenged us to go weekly and we are going to give it our best effort. We've been blessed going on alternating weeks. I have faith that Heavenly Father will help us make this work as well.

This afternoon Heidi and I helped Gram assemble her new shelves. These will allow her better access to her projects that she is always working on.

This evening we invited over the Hallsted family. Heidi visited with Jessica and got to hold three week old Caleb B (not an abbreviation). I visited with Michael while watching the kids swim. We had two bonus visitors Lauren and Bradley. It was a fun visit. Michael asked to see pictures of the trip so we showed them the blog on the projector. I hope it was fun for them. They want to do a trip of their own some time.

8/3/17 Humanitarian and Focus at Work

This morning Heidi took the kids to Humanitarian. I did something that was very difficult for me but felt like the right thing. I called up our newest client and told them that we were not a good fit for them. The call went fine but it was rough for me. I really wanted things to work out. Part of me still wants the chance to see it through but I feel like Heavenly Father needs me to be able to focus elsewhere. So instead of spending all day doing bank reconciliations I went and visited with my database guy and got caught up on the last month. I'm not really sure why I feel prompted this way. Perhaps our other clients need more help right now. My hope is that by listening to promptings I will be open to more in the future.

8/2/17 Grocery Shopping for School Supplies

Today I spent the work day at a client trying to straighten out their books. Heidi took Rebecca and Sarah to orientation at Mesa Academy.
This evening everyone but David and the Auswanderers went to Walmart. We filled two carts with food and another half full of school supplies. We must've been a sight to the other shoppers our little train wandering through the store. The check out gal was kind. She picked up a job at Walmart when the legal firm she was a secretary at closed down. She liked hearing that we shared a house with my parents and wondered what would happen to her when she needed more help. She felt confident her kids would help like we are.
David went to mutual at nearby high school pool. They have a wave generator called the Flow Rider. He was out late but seemed to have a fun time.

8/1/17 Hanging a TV

This could be my second time hanging a TV, of you count the time I handed tools to Bishop Cluff to help him hang one in a Bishop's office.

Heidi provided the expert guidance. We used a trick I read about using a strong magnet as a stud finder. It worked pretty well. The magnet finds the drywall nails. A fridge magnet won't due. We used magnets from a retired speaker. The studs were not where we expected them to be. We ended up going with Papa to the hardware store to get the right sized bolts and washers for the TV. In the end we got it hung up nice and purdy.

At lunchtime I found Peter hiding in the pantry. Heidi says he loves that spot.
After lunch Heidi and I went to Office Keepers to work on their books. Things are fairly jumbled. I'm glad Heidi was able to be there part of the time. It made it more fun and my brain felt less fried.
This evening we met some neighbors. We took cinnamon raisin bread to the Hurt family. Sister Hurt teaches Sarah's class and has a granddaughter her age. Jenny, I didn't catch her last name, has two boys ages 15 and 17.
Heidi, Sarah and Rebecca went to Days for Girls to sew menstrual pads for girls in third world countries. The boys and I stayed home. I got some practice in on the piano. I'm working on perfecting some hymns so I can handle having people sing along.