Week 12

Dear Scott,

We had another week of adventures.  First off-- I mentioned in last week's letter that Emma had twisted her ankle on Friday.  Well, we iced it and kept her off it as much as possible, but by Sunday evening, she was crying from the pain of her foot.  Since we were leaving on Monday, we wanted to be sure she'd be OK, so Dad took her to the ER for an x-ray.  They think that she broke her growth plate!  They put a cast on it that went around the sides and back of her foot, ankle, and lower leg, leaving the top open for any swelling, and gave her crutches and told us to make an appointment with a doctor when we return.

Also on Sunday, I had Ward Council, we had a great church service, we delivered a pumpkin pie to Sister Rose, we went to tithing settlement, we had choir at our house, I had my family book club call (my pick--it was Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"), we went to Jacob Davis's mission open house, and made sure we were packed up for our trip.  So, you know, a typical day of rest...

On Monday we woke up early and were on the road to Beaumont by 6:30 am.  This trip was the High Adventure trip for the Venturing Crew, but in the end, all the families wanted to go, too!  We got to Gator Country at about 11:30, and soon the Bakers, Carters, and Shipps joined us.  They had changed a few things around after the hurricane flooding.  One of the things they let us do this time was feed the alligators hot dogs from strings.  

After we spent a couple hours there, we headed to Port Arthur to our Air B&B.  We got a house with three bedrooms (with several beds in each), a big kitchen, big family room, laundry room, and three bathrooms.  It was right on the ocean in the back, with a dock out to the water, and in the front was a shipping lane and several refineries. :)  We all thought it was great.

On Tuesday we had a slow morning.  I went outside to read my scriptures.  This was my view:  

Then went to a nearby park, which was like the Pirate Park in Wylie.  It was supposed to rain, but all we got was a little drizzle.  Everyone had fun playing hide and seek.

After we went back to the house for lunch, we headed to Sea Rim State Park.  The Venturing Crew and the dads (minus Ben, and minus Emma, due to her foot) went on a kayaking trip through the bayou.  They said they had a great time!  

The rest of us went out to the beach.  It was still pretty chilly, but that doesn't keep kids out of the ocean.

Meanwhile, Dad went to get crabbing supplies (chicken necks, string, and a Styrofoam cooler), and found out where and how catch some.  We caught 13 blue crab total, and released 3 for being too small.  Then we got to talk to you!  The girls were so excited, because they weren't in school when you called this time.  We went back to the house and cooked dinner, including the crab, which were amazing.  (Dad used a YouTube video to learn the best way to do it.)

On Wednesday, we all packed up and cleaned up the house and headed up to Houston to visit NASA.  They're busy working on how to get us to Mars.  Lots of problems left to solve, so I'm sure there will be jobs there when you're ready! :)  I am still in awe about how people figured out how to get to the moon in 1969. 

 

After we finished up there, we drove back home, arriving at about 10 pm.  We had to get some nasty beach clothes into the washer, and I made a cranberry fluff salad to be refrigerated overnight before heading to bed.  It was a pretty good trip--everyone was happy and got along (until the drive home, but we got through it).

Thursday morning: Thanksgiving!  We slept in a bit, but the parade was calling to the kids, and I had a green bean casserole to make.  We left at about 11 to head to Joseph and Melanie's for our Thanksgiving lunch.  My mom and dad were there, too, and one of Joseph's friends.  It was a great meal, though we were missing you.  

Everyone talked and played games and rested (and shopped online) until 4, when Melanie's two sisters and their families came over, and we had LOTS of pie together.  Then we talked and played and rested again until it was time to head home.  Grandma and Grandpa came to our house, too.  

Friday was a good day to sleep in!  (Except for Dad, who went early to help Jason fix a minibike like the one he fixed up last week).  We braved the Black Friday crowds and the rain and went to Kohl's, and later Dad and I went to Walmart.  I don't think we got any great deals, but we have fewer things on our lists to get now.  It was drizzly all day.  Grandma and Grandpa treated us to Chic Fil A for dinner.  That evening I went with Grandma, Grandpa, Emma, Gracie, and Caytie to the temple.  We met up with Joseph and Rachel, and her uncle and two cousins, to do baptisms.  I was able to do a couple initiatories, and then went back to the baptistry, where I was a witness for the first time.  Caytie and Rachel also got to be witnesses.  Such a great way to spend the evening!

Today has been drizzly all day.  Dad has worked on his bike, painting and decorating it with lights to be ready for the Wylie Christmas Parade. :)  Gracie worked on a big model project for humanities, which I'll send a picture of when it's done.  The rest of us tried to clean up a bit.

I am very thankful that you are serving a mission.  I know holidays are different and hard while you're away, for you and for us, but it is worth the sacrifice.  You are exactly where you need to be right now.  We're praying for you all the time!  We love you!

Love, 

Mom

(PS--reminder to my future self: get Ben's facebook pics to add to this post.)

Week 11

Dear Scott,

I thought you might enjoy this question from preschool this week:

Let's see what's been going on this week...  Sunday was good.  Caytie went to the first Ward Youth Council meeting (formerly BYC).  They reorganized the Primary (Sister Davis is now the president, so I got a new counselor for Relief Society) and Young Men (Dad was called as the Priest Advisor).  We watched the broadcast on the new Children and Youth program.  It's amazing that the whole program was built on one verse of scripture.  I'm hoping that the girls (and soon Benson) are excited to set their own goals.  I baked two pumpkin pies that evening to take over to Tessa's school the next morning.  I like to help the PTA that way!  After dropping off the pies, I (finally) took the donations we collected at the Trunk or Treat over to the WISD building, and then went shopping.  I'm still meal planning, which I love, but I have found that you ate a bigger portion of the meals than I thought, and we have a lot of leftovers.  I also enjoyed being able to "google message" with you that afternoon! 

Monday evening was Tessa and Benson's piano recital.  Benson played "Jingle Bells" and "Allegro," and Tessa played "Oh Christmas Tree," "The Grand Old Duke of York," and "New World Symphony."  They did a great job.  Sister Matheney had her baby today, so they have a break from lessons until January.

On Wednesday I took Emma for a retainer check--all is well.  That evening a group of youth (including Dad and Gracie) came to our house during the YM/YW activity, because they were doing a Chopped challenge.  All groups got the same ingredients and went to various houses, cooked a quick meal, and took it back to the church for judging.  Everyone said it was really fun.  Oh--they had to use cornmeal mix, a can of chickpeas, a jalapeno, kielbasa sausage, and maybe a pineapple?  There were a couple optional ingredients, too.

On Thursday I took my preschool kids to PetSmart for a field trip.  The guy got out a ball python, chameleon, and guinea pig for them to pet, so it was basically their best day ever.  After that I got some lunch and then headed to Josephine to give a ride to a Relief Society sister to open a bank account in Rockwall.  It took much longer than expected (surprise!), and thankfully Dad was able to rush home to be there when Benson got off the bus.  When I was heading home with the lady, a downpour started.  As I was pulling onto the frontage road of I-30, I told her I had to go slow because I didn't want to slide...and just then, the car started to fishtail!  The back of the car was skidding toward the ditch between the frontage road and the freeway, then we shifted and we were skidding toward the other lane, and then I was able to get the car back into control.  It was a super scary several seconds.  We were surrounded by cars, and I had to get right onto the freeway right after that.  I keep thinking of how BLESSED we were that it didn't turn out how it so easily could have--skidding off the road or into the other lane or turned around or any other number of scenarios.  I'm pretty sure Heavenly Father took the wheel for a bit for me.  (Also on the way back to her house I took a wrong turn which, long story short, took us into a middle school pick up line which we couldn't escape until school got out and added 20 minutes to our trip.)  I was worn out after that trip.  Benson and Dad went to Pack Meeting that night, and Benson got his first two belt loops.  He also earned two pie tickets for selling popcorn, which means he got to throw two "pies" (plates with whipped cream).  He chose to pie himself and then Dad.

This morning I did some Relief Society things, and also took a nap, because I've got a little cold.  It was rainy, so it was a great way to spend the time!  I also went to lunch with one of my ministering sisters, and then worked on the blog book from last year.  It's a big one, thanks to having a camera with me all the time.  I'm hoping to get it done for the Black Friday sale they usually do.  Emma and Gracie had a "field trip" to the indoor fieldhouse at school to play games all day, because they brought cans for the canned food drive.  They had a good time, but Emma did twist her ankle  playing a bungee run game with someone much bigger than she is.

This quote has been making me think this week:

I hope you have an amazing week.  I look forward to hearing from you on Monday.  The kids are excited, because they'll be out of school and can talk to you, too!

Love you!

Mom

PS--we tried some food storage potato pearls the Packards gave us.  We were not big fans.  Tessa used it for sculpting a snowman.

Week 10

Dear Scott,

I was going to say how this week was less dramatic than last, but that's not really accurate...

On Saturday, Sister Jones (the Primary General President), Sister Craig (the Young Women's General First Counselor), and Sister Aburto (the Relief Society General Second Counselor) came to DFW to train us.  They actually came Friday evening, and did a devotional on the Fort Worth side, and did their training Saturday morning, and then trained the Dallas side (10-12? stakes were invited) Saturday afternoon.  Our stake was hosting, so I went with my counselors to the North Garland building to learn from Sister Aburto.  It was pretty awesome.  We talked about principles of leadership, with a focus on how to solve problems in counsels.  Then Dad brought our girls to meet us a Babe's Chicken for dinner.  (Caytie went to a birthday party.)  Dinner was very tasty!  Then there was a devotional at our Stake Center for sisters ages 11 and up.  

Earlier in the week President Lamarche called to say that they requested a Primary age girl bear her testimony at the devotional, and he asked if Tessa would be willing to do it.  I asked her when she got home from school, and said it would be pretty cool to meet the General Leaders.  She was very hesitant at first, and asked if I could sit with her on the stand.  I said I was pretty sure I could, so she agreed, and wrote out her testimony that night.  I helped type it up, and she practiced all week.  I thought it was pretty sweet--she talked about you.  

So on Saturday we went up on the stand.  Just before the meeting Sister Jones and Sister Craig came in with several stake presidents and their wives.  The room was full, with people sitting to the back on the stage.  President Monroe started the meeting and announced that Tessa would be going first, which surprised her, but he gave her an introduction, and she got up and delivered it exactly as she had practiced!  She did such a great job!  Then a young woman bore her testimony, and then Sister Craig and Sister Jones took turns speaking about the new Young Women's theme, which is amazing, if you get a chance to study it.  As soon as the meeting was over, Sister Jones and Sister Craig both headed right over to Tessa and the young woman to hug them and say how well they did, and talk with them for a minute.  Emma and Gracie made their way up to us and got to say hello to Sister Craig, too.  (Oh, we got a text from Sissy and Beverly Evans, who had been watching a broadcast of this in their Stake Center in Gilmer, saying they saw us and that Tessa did a great job.  I had no idea it was being broadcast anywhere!)

Sunday was a good day--Ward Council, the Sacrament and then the Primary Program!, Relief Society (the lesson was Sister Craven's talk on Careful versus Casual--one of my favorites), family time, choir (which is at our house again), my family phone call...all good things.  Dad was suffering from a bad cold, though, so that wasn't as fun.  Also, that night TJ dropped off the black car, on which he had fixed the window and battery.  (It had been dead on the driveway almost since you left.  PS--on Saturday, Fred McCasland towed away the green car [and our old fridge], which had been dead on the street since before you left!)

Monday was Veteran's Day.  The kids had school, but Dad had the day off.  Since Tessa and Benson hadn't had their "Choose Your Own Adventure" Christmas gift fulfilled yet, he decided to take them to an indoor water park in Grand Prairie.  He said as he was on the freeway, lots of warning lights came on in the car, and when he stopped on the frontage road, the car died.  Boo.  He called to say he was stranded, but just then, a cop pulled up behind him, and that one called three more, and they closed the intersection and pushed the car into a gas station on the corner.  They were about half a mile away from the water park, so they decided to walk there, and call a tow truck when they were done.  However, though the day started at 60 degrees, a cold front was hitting, and it was windy and drizzly and now 40 degrees and falling fast.  Another cop pulled up and said he'd give them a ride.  (Turns out the police station was next to the water park.)  The staff at the water park saw them get out of the cop car, heard their story, and decided to give them the royal treatment for the day--a tour of the park, free game coupons, and then four free passes when they left, so they'd come back.  They had a really, really good time.  That afternoon I drove out there to get Tessa and Benson and Dad went with the tow truck to TJ's shop, where he found a hose had come off.  He fixed it in two minutes, and Dad got to drive the car home with no problems.  Also that day--the Service Engine light came on in the Expedition.  You may recall that we spent $1500 to get that fixed last week.  Grrr.  But they guaranteed their work, so we just had to make time to bring it in again.

Tuesday was a plain old Tuesday--hooray!  (Except it started in the 20's.  So cold.  And Tessa complained about her head itching a lot, so we had to check her and everyone for lice.  We were lucky this time.  And I gave Benson a haircut.  So just a normal Tuesday.)

Wednesday was the day we got the Expedition to the shop.  They had to clean some more filters, and they got the light to go off again.  That afternoon I hosted the "DIY Girls" club for Caytie and Tessa.  This started when some moms and I decided we could do an afterschool club for our kids that cost way less than the ones offered at the schools.  So we do it every other week, and rotate who plans/hosts.  I taught about bridge building, and they made gumdrop and toothpick bridges to hold the weight of a book.  Then they made apple turkeys.  That evening the Young Women met at our house to make freezer meals for Sis. Matheney, who will have her baby next week.

On Thursday, the Wylie Cup started, which is a soccer tournament.  Tessa has lost her enthusiasm for playing, and the cold weather didn't help, but she powered through that game, and the even colder and later game on Friday night (which Dad took her to), and then through their last game today (Saturday).  Her team came in fourth place, and she says she is officially done with soccer.

I went on a walk on Friday.  Look at the sky:  😍

And look at what Walmart thinks I want to buy: 😐

Last bit of news--the temple finally reopened this week, so Dad and I went to do a session today.  When we walked in, we saw Jacob Davis and his family!  We weren't in the same session as them, but it was great to see them.  He leaves at the beginning of November.

We love you!  I hope you have an amazing week!

Love,

Mom