December Happenings

Lots of fun and exciting things happen in December.  The week before Christmas is always fun as it is our anniversary.  This year marks our 25th.  Crazy to think that it has really been 1/4 of a century.  It's my cross over year, I have now been married longer than I was single.  We went to Quilted Bear to shop, (not Wayne's choice) and then dinner at Good Wood BBQ.  We were lucky enough to talk Caleb into joining us.  One day we will wish that we had someone to join us and so it was fun having him along.  Here's some pictures to show what was happening.  The best and most exciting was talking to Stetson on Christmas Day.  He was given about an hour to talk to us and it ended all to quickly.  I really miss his laugh and fun sense of humor.  However, he is loving it and it is going too quickly for him.  Enjoy...

Merry Christmas from the Clayton Family 2014

Hard to believe it is once again time to sit down and remember the past year and highlight those things that are meaningful and important to each of us.  Here's a recap.  We are very blessed.

Wayne: 

It's been a different year for sure.  After being diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis the end of 2013, it was a year of learning and steroids.  Those things are not fun and yet he did not complain.  He is now off the Prednisone and looking forward to hopefully feeling more like himself.  That is a drug that is so helpful and yet hard on the body.  He has traveled many places with his work and still enjoys all the many associations he has had with people all over the United States and Canada.  Regina, Boston, and probably one that was very dear to his heart was Nauvoo.  After serving in the Missouri Independence Mission many years ago, and with his pioneer heritage, going back to Nauvoo was a highlight and meaningful experience.  He still tries to hunt and fish whenever he can, and enjoys spending time with his boys on the streams or in the mountains.  It is definitely time well spent.

Tammy:

This year has been one of great learning for me, too.  I am very fortunate and blessed to have the BEST job @ Bountiful Orthodontics and enjoy the time I spend there.  I have made so many friends and everyday I wonder how I was so lucky to land such a gig.  I served as the Stake Camp Director for Young Women's and it was an experience that forever changed me.  I found that I was able to listen to the spirit and do exactly as He would have wanted.  I had a wonderful team that I would have never been able to pull it all together without.  These women are now some of my dearest friends.  I was grateful to have it be finished and yet sad, too.  I learned so much and my testimony grew even more.  I have also discovered that I really do like exercise.  I still get up five-six days a week and head to the place that changed my physical life.  Four Pillar Fitness has helped get me in probably the best shape of my life.

Bridger:

Highlight this year was probably going on the adventure this summer to Minneapolis and selling pest control.  He and his friend Ryan left at the end of May and stayed the entire summer.  It was an experience that was challenging and yet he had a great time and made a good amount of money to help him with school for the future.  He just started full-time at Deseret Mutual Insurance and will receive his associates very soon from Salt Lake Community College.  His plans are to continue working and then head to the University of Utah for his degree.  He is the one that caught the hunting/fishing gene most and really enjoys time he spends in the hills or fishing alongside his brothers and dad.  He is a great young man, and I can hardly believe he is all grown up.

Elder Stetson Clayton:

Is thriving and loving his mission in the Mexico Monterrey West.  You can always catch up with his adventures on his mission blog:  www.elderclaytoninmexico.blogspot.com  I update it every Sunday morning and it is always worth going there.  His smile says exactly how much he is loving it there.  It is my hope that he will want to come home which we are anticipating the end of May 2015, but who's counting...

Caleb:

in a word, is AMAZING. Oh, how I love this young man.  He turned 16 this past July and was able to get his license and purchase a car with his own $$$.  He was selected from our stake to attend the World Wide Jamboree coming up this June which will be held in Japan.  It's crazy.  It has quite a price tag attached and he is busily doing fund raisers, working at SpankyS and whittling down the fee.  He earned his Eagle Scout Award and was the youngest of our boys getting it at only 15.  He is so much fun, full of personality and really pretty dang funny.  We are grateful he is not too cool to hang out with us and we love spending time with him.

As you can see we have much to be grateful for.  However, we never forget all of you.  At this time of the year it is wonderful for the rest of the world to remember what we have known and love all the time.  I am grateful for my testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  As we celebrate his birth it is my hope that my gift to Him will be to live as He lived.  Trying to serve more, be kinder and #sharethegift

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  I hope it is a good one for you and yours!

Our Christmas Letter 2014

Due to having a few things tonight, I did not get our letter published on here.  Please come back, I will get it on after work on Monday.  Hopefully, you know that we are so grateful for all our family and friends.  And especially at this time of the year, it is best to remember what is most important.  It's just that all that other stuff gets in the way...

Please come back now, ya here!

Time Once Again to Catch Up on Life!

Well, I can't really say why I haven't written or posted in quite sometime.  I always keep Stetson's blog updated faithfully.  As well as, the Biggest Loser blog competition that run, so I guess when it comes to this one I sometimes am burned out and this is the last one to get finished.  So, today I am going to at least get the pictures on here of a few of the things that are worth mentioning in mine or our lives in the last little while. 

 Hard to believe that Caleb is old enough to be asked to the Sadie Hawkins dance at WX.  But, he did.  This is Jessieann who is a good friend of ours daughter and Caleb has gotten to know her quite well, she is also a senior.  Crazy, right?  He was excited to go and they dressed as lifeguards and sharks.  Friday night they went to a Haunted House and movie and then Saturday was dinner at California Pizza Kitchen, the dance and then rootbeer floats afterwards.  He had a good time and already thinking about who he might ask to the Christmas dance.  What, when did he grow up?

 In July 2015 Caleb will be going to the World Wide Jamboree held in Japan.  He is excited but along with this comes a pretty hefty price tag.  So, he has been doing fund raisers with the other boys that will be going, like a carwash at Dick's market one Saturday and then selling Dominos pizza cards.  These have been a really good deal actually.  We bought them for .20 each and sell them for $10 it's a buy one get one pizza with 16 pizza coupons on the cards.  He is working hard and so far on track for where he should be at this point.

 This is cute Gavin who I used to watch when he was just a little baby. We ran into him and took a picture awhile back.  He is such a handsome young man and it is sure fun to see these kids now that I was able to have in our home which kept me home with ours.  It was one of those things that I felt was a blessing for us and hopefully they felt the same.  These kids became a part of our family and we sure loved them as brothers.

This was such a fun experience.  The church was due for another full length film for the Legacy theater for the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and this time they discussed how many times so many of the members and others not of our faith are unable to come to Salt Lake and see what is there playing in that theater.  So, they decided to do a different film.  This time they would show what life is like for some of the members of the church and some of their stories.  In watching the documentary of how it all came to be, it was if they people were most definitely the ones who needed their stories to be told for the world to hear.  The one that we were lucky enough to meet is the one in the pictures.  This is Dawn Armstrong, the missionary mom.  Go figure I would feel close to her story of sending her boy on a mission, but it was her conversion story that was the real story.  She was a single mom who had him so very young and on her own started this journey, then had another baby and still unmarried, the father of this baby could not handle all of this and left.  This second baby suddenly somehow passed away and this young single mom was alone and in a convenience store and the clerk asked her if she was okay.  It was there that she broke down and then the rest of the story is told.  How Dawn felt as if our Father in Heaven knew exactly who she was and is and the missionary that baptized her is a friend of mine from the same gym I go to each morning.  He arranged that many of us were there to meet her and I had no idea her son, Anthony was already home from his mission.  It truly is such a great film and one that all should see to let the world know that the LDS or Mormon people are normal people, trying to live as their elder brother, even Jesus Christ did.  Loving their neighbor, trying to be kind and helping one another.  Then she tells how she feels that everyone has appointments and that hopefully people will keep theirs when they see these missionaries.  I couldn't hold back the tears several times, especially as I knew that I had already had one of my own and another still out there looking for those who had appointments to keep.  Thank you so much for making such a wonderful film for all to see the loving ways of our Father in Heaven.  Truly loved every minute of it!

One thing that has been so fun this year has been to go to the WX football home games.  They are doing so great.  They are 8-1 and are going to state, which I really think this may be the best they have ever done in all the years the school has been there.  It's fun to know a lot of the players being Caleb's buddies, or patients and to know the parents.  It really is like a good ole' fashion hometown football game.  Go Cats!!!

This is just a picture of where I am today.  I am still trying, hard as it is to finish this darn battle that I started almost exactly three years ago.  I am no longer worried about the number on that scale, although I wish it would change faster than it does.  I have had my blood work done, and have gotten the reports back which the numbers are fabulous.  I am probably in the best shape of my life.  I feel great and in just a couple of months I will turn 50.  It's crazy, but I am not so worried about being at a number that I am not sure will ever appear as much as I know that I can go into the regular store and buy something that I have never been able to do.  For this, I will keep going and continue.  I am grateful for the healthy body I have been given, it is not perfect, but it gets up in the morning and moves some are not lucky enough to say that.  What do I have to complain about.

 

Not the Best Week, But, it will be Fine...

This week's email was short and no pictures which we are not used to.  He was unable to get his funds from his account, and his week was harder than he has had.  He is not one to complain, or seem discouraged and so I was sad to not be able to chat with him much.  I did send a couple of emails letting him know that of course we would continue to pray for his investigators and members like I have always done.  However, sometimes it seems Satan works so hard to get these people to not understand or commit, and it is like he is working overtime right now on some of these.  I know it is extremely hard on him as he has grown to care so deeply for Jose Manuel.  As I pray each night I ask for our Father's spirit to be with him and that he is at peace.  I am certain that with his membership in the gospel, this will bring so much joy to him and has.  I am so grateful Stetson is there for him.  Oh, I hope he gets his money soon.  He has never been without, however, sometimes, sacrifice brings forth more blessings and understanding.  Even from those of us just watching and waiting to hear the outcome.  Love him so much.  Thanks for following his journey and for the prayers in his behalf it is always appreciated and felt by all of us...

 

Hey this week was pretty rough haha. My comp left Monday evening. I slept with other elders Tuesday and got my comp who is a joven and is getting ready for the mission, but this week was hard because not just one thing but multiple things just sucked. Jose Manuel, is in the hospital, and isnt doing very well. Our one eternal investigators who I love, their husbands dont want us visiting any more. Oh and I didn't have any money for 4 days! because we had to take taxi to the offices and back and we live super far away and I had to pay the light bill. so on Friday I went to take money out from my church card and the rent for the house and it was about 200 dollars and it went through, the transaction but there was no money! and on the screen came up as error, so I tried the next day and there was nothing in my account. so i lost like $200, but it was the machines error and the secretaries, well elder clements is working on that. so I had to take money out again, I am sorry, but I didn't have much and I don't know when my money from the church is going to come again. so its been hard, but I am doing well! I hope the package comes that will make me happy! haha love you! 

--

Elder Clayton

Tuachan & Little Mermaid

I have always wanted to go to Tuachan and see a play.  So, we just decided on a whim to try and get tickets.  My good friend Eileen's son could get us half price from his work and then it was hard to find a hotel.  The lady on the phone said she could find us a room at a place called Red Mountain Lodge only four miles from Tuachan.  "OK, why, not?"  When we got there, as luck would have it they upgraded us to a suite, and sweet it was.  We were so lucky and although it was a quick trip it was a blast.  We need to do it more often.  We had a great time. 

I am driving, Wayne taking a nap.  We will get there a little faster if I drive...

 The pool was awesome, the whole place was amazing!

 This place was amazing.  Don't think we'll stay in an hotel ever again.

We save lots of $$$ not having to bring home any of these!

Summer Splash @ Cherry Hill

One of the responsibilities of my job is to organize the patient "thank you" party at Cherry Hill.  This is quite a task.  Each patient that is in active treatment or observation (which is waiting for treatment) is invited, along with a guest to come to the park for the afternoon.  They check in, get a wristband, fill out their name on two tickets.  One for the many gift card prizes, and one for the higher end prize that they chose to put their ticket in of their choice.  This could be an IPad mini, dri-beats head sets, Kindle Fire, Lego sets, IPods, Electric Scooter, etc. there is actually about 8 choices.  We have Spankys bring 1200 sandwiches, chips, Wayne and I deliver a pallet of water from Costco & ice and we have a huge party.  It's what the patients have come to look forward to each year.  This year we actually had a theme of Olaf from Frozen.  One of our patients little sisters dressed in a darling costume and let people take pictures with her.  It was a lot of fun. This is something that gives me some anxiety as it brings more than 1000 people together, I reserve the park in January, I order the sandwiches, water, organize things, mail postcards, and with the help of the other staff members we pull it off.  This was the last of the big events for me.

What a Summer!!! Part One, The Camp Out

It's been quite a summer.  I knew if I could get through this one, it would be full, very fulfilled one.  And, on Thursday, I finished the last of the three big ticket items you might say.  This year I had Stake Girl's Camp that I was the Stake Camp Director, the neighborhood campout that we I guess sponsor each year, and then my work, patient "thank you" party at Cherry Hill.  There's already a post about Girl's Camp, so here's the other two.

The neighborhood camp out is one of the highlights each year.  Many families in our area get together and for a pretty low fee all they really have to do is pack their clothes and camping equipment.  The rest is provided from Thursday evening until Saturday afternoon.  It's a blast.  The river was perfect this year with the just the right amount of water so no danger, but enough to go down and not get stuck all along the way.  Food, was great.  It is always so much fun as the people who go are always the ones who step in to help and so there is plenty of help.  We eat, very well I might add.  Spaghetti dinner with delicious garlic bread made on the Scout grill that we take with us.  Funny how we go through five loaves of bread on this meal alone.  We make dutch oven cobblers and then s'mores for those who want them.  Next morning is French Toast, bacon, fruit, milk, juice and of course hot chocolate.  Then it's off to the river.  Oh, don't forget the plethora of treats with licorice, oreos, the famous trail mix with extra m&m's and rice chex cereal added in and whatever other things we can add.  No one goes hungry mind you.  After a few runs down the river, we cook hot dogs and hamburgers, this year we added Bishop Bob's famous beans.  They didn't disappoint.  Great addition.  This is the night that a few people come up for the Dutch oven dinner so we prepare ribs which take several hours to cook to make them melt in your mouth.  The secret is in the sauce that we make with ketchup and Pepsi.  Then off to the river again.  We make yummy potatoes covered with cheese, salad, corn, rolls and lemonade.  It's a yummy meal.  Then after all the dishes and ovens are cleaned.  We bring out the scone dough, a huge tradition that they all love.  This year our friends the Kilpack's joined us and brought their big outdoor screen and the kids watched a movie in the great outdoors.  It was a great night.  It's so much fun.  Then off to bed to a great night sleep where the weather cools down to a pleasant and wonderful sleeping temperature.

Next morning, breakfast burritos with eggs and sausage, more fruit, milk, juice and then off to the river again.  After more river runs for a few more hours, we cook up whatever is left and then pack up to go home.  It's 2.5 days of good fun with wonderful friends, playing games, talking, laughing and just being a little lazy and enjoying the great outdoors.  We come home and immediately book for the next year.  So if you are reading this and it sounds like something you would like to do.  Feel free to join, all are welcome, $125 for all what I explained.  And, if my words are not enough to convince you, here are the pictures.  They will tell a better story.  The dates are July 30-August 2, 2015.  Get it in your phones, your calendars, etc.  You won't be sorry...