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Building our New Home-

I've held off sharing this story... because....building a home from ground up can be a complicated up and down adventure.   We haven't been sure if we were going to be able to build here.

(Mainly due to the permit process that the county and State of California requires...and working through the long process of getting okays from our HOA!) 

We have been working on permits since the end of June 2014, when we sold our home in CV.

But we are feeling a bit more confident....so today I'm sharing.

Through this whole process of getting permits...we haven't been sitting still- we have been doing what we could....moving forward ever so slow.

I want to document all of the progress...so, today....here we go!

Get ready for a crazy amount of pictures.

Here is the lot....our building lot is on top of this hill....following will be a look at the lot from different angles.  What it looked like before we moved dirt and after- (the lot is almost one acre) 

In order to have a building pad...we had to cut into the hill (like about 15 feet)

 Before                                                                                         after

The hill before....and the hill after- we will be building a brick/rock wall here.

 Looking down the hill "before"....and looking up the hill "after" from across the street. We have re-seeded the whole hill.  (we are surrounded by a golf course and vineyards.)

 

Building pad- view from the back of the house.

This will be the view from the right side of the house.

 View from the front of the house- before and after

 

What the hill use to look like....and now....ready for construction. (by removing 15 feet we received a large flat area to build on plus it opened up the view.)

It isn't home until the Grandchildren visit.

The drive up there is beautiful this time of year.

This area reminds us of our home in CV- lots of wildlife. ( I'm thinking that is a bobcat...and hoping it is not a mountain loin =)

 

 
This time of year the hills are green.

 What it looks like in the fall.

So, there you have it, and as it stands....we are still waiting for permits....Hoping March is the month all the fun stuff gets started.  Prayer said and  Fingers crossed! 

and just for fun here is the  Artist rending of what our home could look like.

Building a home is a lot like giving birth....a lot of waiting, preparing and some pain.

But in the end.....Happy Day!

 

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Cabin Morning-

The Hills are green- reminding me to grow

Happy Faces and the Cabin under the pines

I love when happy faces come to visit.  

Click on over to the cabin under the pines for an update.

What I wore-

Just in case my Granddaughters want to see what I wore- "You know, when they have a activity girls party in which they are to come dressed like their grandmother" (smile)

Just trying to help out.

Have a great day.

 

New Beginnings- 2015

New Beginnings have started in our stake-  What is New Beginnings you say?

New Beginnings is an annual event for all young women and their parents. Young women who will reach the age of 12 in the coming year are also invited to attend with their parents. This is an evening to welcome the New Beehives.     This event also provides an opportunity for leaders to express their love for the young women, encourage parents to help their daughters in Personal Progress.

Possible subjects to address include:

• Special Welcome for the New Beehives-----Explanation of Personal Progress.
• Presentation of the young women theme, logo, and motto.
• Overview of the youth theme and a discussion of activities planned for the year. 

Patterson Ward - Your Passport to Embark on New Beginnings-

Each girl spoke on one of the eight Personal Progress values....all did a wonderful job. I loved hearing their testimonies.

 Turlock First Ward

"Jenna Gauthier did a fabulous job putting together a night for the New Beehives coming in this year. It was her last Personal Progress Project and she nailed it!  Turlock 1st Ward has 4 amazing  "new" Beehives that will add a lot of fun to their YW program. Their parents took a few minutes to spotlight each girl so everyone could get to know them better. What a great night! " - Melissa

(I was unable to attend this event....we divide up as a Presidency  when we have several on one night)

I will be sharing more New Beginnings through out the next month as I attend.

Happy Day

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Young Women activities-

Young Women's Stake Leadership Training- Jan 2015

Young Women's Stake Leadership Training- Jan 2015

Stake Leadership Theme-

  Youth Theme 2015:

“Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day” (D&C 4:2).

 Sandi, Becky and Melissa- Love working with these Women!

  The Leadership program-

Prelude music- Jane

Special  musical  number- "We are Daughters in Gods Kingdom" Renee & Kelly

recite YW Theme

Camp report- Amanda and Nancy 

Ahoy Matties!  Put on those Life-jackets (smile)Welcome and Sharing of new theme- (Teresa)

Life-jacket-  Leadership and  Download Supporting Family (Teresa)

Stay in the Boat- Personal Progress helps and handouts (Sandi)

Keeping Everything Ship Shape- Come Unto Me & Teaching- each unit received a binder  with teaching helps- Teaching for conversion with Come, Follow Me  (Becky)

Closing song- Press Forward Saints- pg 81

Prayer- Melissa

(programs made and printed by Melissa- also each unit received a large size theme Poster see here.)

 The Decorations-

By Sandi and Teresa

Welcome table-

 

 

The Refreshments-

By Becky and Melissa

 

 

 

 

Some of the Young Women leaders-

 

Swag Bags, Pins & tablecloth

1. The Bag- Large White Anchor Tote

 

 

2. The Anchor Pin-

• 6 inches ribbon folded in half
• one wooden Anchor spray painted glitter silver (the anchors were cut from wood Thanks to Nancy's Dad)
• twine ... pin on back

 

 3. The TableCloth 

 We wanted the Young Women Leaders in our Stake to have a "ready set go" tablecloth in their Church closet...just easy to pull out and put on the table Sunday morning or whenever....Easy...no worries.

So we gave each of them 

• one white table cloth
• one red anchor - topper
• one yellow anchor- topper

I had many long white table-clothes sitting in my closet   (left over from weddings/spring events) so I thought I would put them to good use.  Sandi and I cut them in two... and just hemmed.... the topper fabric came from wal-mart.   Easy!

 

 It was so wonderful  to have the time to meet and learn from each other!  

Happy Day!

 Notes- Links for Leadership

Complete Leadership training

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
https://www.lds.org/callings/young-women/leader-resources/teaching-leadership-skills/counsel-together?lang=eng   (video serve your friends)

Download Teaching Binder information. 

 

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Happy- Christmas Cards

Young Women activities-

A Life Story- by Kent

 

The app by Kent the actor  Shannon.

I love it when My Children get together and create....pretty much the best thing ever

We all need this (smile)

Happy Day

  

Note-  This is for a competition put on by FamilySearch. After the competition is done the app will be put online

Young Women activities-

 

The Young Women in our Stake have regularly scheduled activity ...we call that evening Mutual.

The term Mutual suggests shared experiences in which there is mutual respect and support for one another. Mutual is held on a day or an evening other than Sunday or Monday.

Along with the regular mutual activities there are many other opportunities to participate in a wide range of activities...just this month alone, activities include- sports, Temple and family service, music, dance, communication and the opportunity to participate in a musical production.  Download Gideon Youth Flyer (1) 

The Youth really are being challenged to serve with all their Heart, might, mind and Strength!  This years Young Women theme- D&C 4:2

 

Here a few of the activities that have taken place in the last 2 weeks....beyond what they do on their mutual night.

Took family names to the Temple.

Played Basketball- Thanks Sister Scheuller

The Deacons and Beehives learned some awesome dance moves- with the help of Sister Barth and some of the older Youth.  

The older Youth (14-18) also attend an SNA (Saturday Night Activity later this day- it was a dance)

 

We were also over -joyed to be-able to attend a Young Womanhood Recognition award program for Jordynn...and looking forward to attending many more this year.

We (Becky, Sandi, Melissa and I) are busy getting ready for our Stake Leadership meeting on Sunday and also the opportunity to start attending Ward conferences (starting Sunday) and we have a couple New Beginnings in the next couple of weeks.

Life is full in the Young Women's organization.

Now excuse me why I go work on some items for Stake Leadership  (smile)

 #Embark

 Theme poster from top of post- Hang a ribbon on the moon

 

 

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Happy- Christmas Cards

The Story of my Life

 

Do you ever just miss the people that you love.... those still living or  returned home to Heavenly Father?

I do.

Just sharing. 

Priest and Laurel Temple Trip-

Turlock Stake Priest and Laurel Temple trip-  The Priests and Laurels  (ages 16-17)in our stake love going to the Temple.

Many of them doing the work for their own ancestors.....or names from family search. 

The First Presidency has invited all members to experience the blessings of finding and taking family names to the temple. This invitation specifically includes the youth of the Church.

What a sweet blessing for me today to see almost all our youth come today- with names of their ancestors. 

I believe the temple experience becomes life changing when they begin doing the work for their own ancestors.

Sweet Happy Day-   

Here are a few pictures from our day-

 

 (sorry I had them looking into the sun)

 

Oakland Temple

What happens in the Temple

 

 

 

 

 

The Hills are green- reminding me to grow

Much needed rain....the foothills are responding with an emerald glow.

Happy New Year 2015....oh my!

With all the green that is surrounding me and the start of a new year.....I'm reminded that I need to take time to chart a course...make a plan....embark .  (I have YW's theme on my mind =)

I need a solid plan....step by step....because that is how I learn.

I'm not setting a year plan, nor a monthly or weekly plan...but a "day" plan.

Just do this each day....

Pray

read His word

walk

create/or think about creating

be grateful 

Remember-Everything I say yes to, I say no to something else.  Are my yeses forcing me to say no to what I really want to say yes to?

Play music

Cheer for other people’s victories

Be inspired by others

Clean- a spot

aim to break my own personal records- (just a little bit better everyday)

laugh

be open to surprises

Sleep

 

I'm printing this list up to help remind me....

Do you have a list? I would love to learn from you. 

Happy New Year