Brandon's Lasik Surgery and Visit

Brandon has wanted LASIK forever, especially when he found out that our insurance paid a good portion of it. Unfortunately, we never found a place that would take the insurance ... we would have to pay all of it upfront and then wait for the insurance company to reimburse us. So, there that option sat for several years.

In October, Brandon found out that there was a place that would do the surgery AND except his insurance. He was SO excited! The one catch? It was in Boise! (We have been there I think 5 times this year.) Not only was he going to go, but 2 others from his company along with a spouse.

So, we drove up the morning of and did quite a bit of waiting.

Brandon being a good sport

A little love from Miss Kate

Deciding that I was making him too nervous, so he did opt for something extra to 'take the edge off'

Kate had SO much fun talking to everyone there and saying that she was one of Santa's helpers!

Brandon in his special cap!

Hanging out that night at Aunt Sondra's with his blind man glasses

Still kicking it!

Later getting ready for bed with his special glasses!

Sondra let us stay with her AND she evens cooked dinner for us.

We are so grateful for her and her home! We just love staying with her!!!

The next day we had a quick recheck to see how Brandon was seeing. He was seeing 20/15, which is better than 20/20. We were totally excited that he does not have to wear glasses anymore!

Kate trying on the special glasses for size on our way home

Long drive back home. The last 2 times back from Boise, we have blown fuzes, so we had no clock or music. Crazy huh???

Joan Murray - My Dad's Wife

POCATELLO - Heaven welcomed a new angel on Sunday, November 18, 2012. Ada Joan Edwards-Murray was born on May 22, 1943, in Twin Falls, Idaho, a daughter of Ike and Grace White. She passed away in her home unexpectedly, leaving behind many wonderful memories.

 When she was a young girl, her family moved to Ogden, Utah, where she went to school and later met her husband, Ronald D. Edwards. They got married on September 12, 1961. They welcomed their first and only son, Randy T. Edwards, on April 18, 1962. On June 16, 1963, the couple welcomed their first daughter, Cyndi J. Hall. Ron and Joan moved their family to Pocatello, Idaho, in 1964, and on November 6, 1968, the couple welcomed their last child and youngest daughter, Jeannette Price. On September 11, 1979, Ron passed away.

 Joan later married her second husband, Grant M. Murray, on December 12, 1980. The couple resided in Pocatello for the duration of their marriage and they were members of the LDS 37th Ward. Grant passed away on September 24, 2006, at their home following an extended illness.

 Joan was an avid animal lover. She had three birds and four dogs at the time of her passing. She loved camping and enjoyed boat riding as well in her younger days. In her final years, she enjoyed traveling with her sister, Lorraine Wilson, and her mother, Grace White. They traveled to Utah, Colorado and even Mexico together.

 She loved the holidays where her family would get together because she thoroughly enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joan also loved decorating her home; she worked very hard to get her house put together beautifully.

 Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Ike and Grace White, first husband, Ronald D. Edwards, second husband, Grant M. Murray, brother, Kim White, and sister, Pat Edwards. She is survived by her brother, Deloy (Valdine) White, Ogden, Utah; sister, Lorraine Wilson, Denver, Colorado; son, Randy (Kris) Edwards, Pocatello, Idaho; Cyndi Hall, Caldwell, Idaho; Jeannette (Mark) Price, Pocatello, Idaho; grandson, Ron Hall, Boise, Idaho; granddaughter, Jennefer Shepherd, Pocatello, Idaho; granddaughter, Jamie (Dustin) Reynolds; grandson, Brandon Hall, Caldwell, Idaho; grandson, Jordan Edwards, Pocatello, Idaho; grandson, Zachary Price, Pocatello, Idaho; grandson, Nicholas Price, Pocatello, Idaho; great-granddaughter, Maria Reynolds, Pocatello, Idaho; great-granddaughter, Timberley Shepherd, Pocatello, Idaho; great-grandson, Treyten Shepherd, Pocatello, Idaho; and great-granddaughter, Haidence Hall, Caldwell, Idaho.

 Funeral services will be held Friday, November 23, 2012, at 2 p.m. in LDS 37th Ward Chapel, Yellowstone Highway, Tyhee, with Bishop Terry Adams officiating. The family will receive friends from noon to 1:45 p.m., Friday afternoon prior to services in the church.

 The family would like to thank the kind words, thoughts and prayers expressed from many during this difficult time.

 Arrangements are under the direction of the Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N 15th Ave., Pocatello (208-232-0542). Condolences may be sent to the family online at www. cornelisonfh.com.

Boise Temple Celebration: Treasure of Light

(Photos came from the Idaho Statesman Newspaper.)

 

Saturday night, November 17th was the Boise Temple Cultural Celebration. The youth in our area have been practicing for months in order to perform for our dear Prophet, Thomas S. Monson.

 

The celebration for the re-dedication of the Boise Idaho Temple was held in the Taco Bell Arena and broadcast throughout the valley to local church buildings.

 

During the celebration, we enjoyed singing and dancing to honor both the Boise valley's culture and the importance for the temple in the lives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint members.

Saturday evening, before the re-dedication of the Boise temple the youth presented a wonderful celebration.

9,200 young women and young men from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took over the Taco Bell Arena in a celebration called "Treasure of Light".

 

  Hundreds of young women and young mean filled the arena floor with a rousing square dance as quilts were fluffed skyward and wagon wheels spun, depicting the Mormons' migration to the west.

 

Ninety fiddlers played.

 

Other young women and young men paid tribute to the computer chip - a mainstay of the Valley's economy- by doing a synchronized dance in black pants and tops with brightly colored pick, green and yellow slits down their sleeves. They tumbled and pulled a few break dancing moves.

As the theme to “Chariots of Fire” played, they came on in blue and orange T-shirts symbolizing Boise State University and pulled off a couple of slow-motion plays as the audience broke into a spontaneous wave.

Youth cultural celebrations centered on building and rededicating LDS temples,“It shows our prophet that we really appreciate our temple and shows him that we know the true meaning of the temple and why it’s there,” said Tanner Myler, 17, who danced as part of the stream that wound around Lexie’s and other girls’ maypoles.

 

 The celebration means that the temple is opening and we get to celebrate our heritage of our community." "It was amazing, a once in a lifetime experience."

Thomas S. Monson, told the young people that he often reminds other church leaders “these are the events we ought to have.”

“I’m not easily put down,” he added, as the arena packed with young people, church leaders and other adults erupted in laughter.

They roared approval when he raised both his arms in jubilation after the performance.

And they returned their respect by waving thousands of yellow flags at the final hymn. Yellow was meant to symbolize the light of Christ, but it’s also Monson’s favorite color.

Mormon Helping Hands - Hurricane Sandy

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in action.

Thanksgiving Chuckles