Once again I haven't made time to update our family blog. It seems we are either too busy living our lives or life is too boring and I've got nothing to say. Quick catch up:
Fall/Halloween:
we had great fun with pumpkins-
getting them on our traditional day Oct 10th,
decorating them and then making our pumpkin puree for the first time.
I love when I use a coupon on a sale item...it makes my day. What does not make my day is when I discover sneaky manufacturers trying to deceive/trick their customers. So after getting a great deal, I was excited to try this new muffin mix until I read down to the yield!
11....11...seriously 11 muffins?
Did they start making muffin pans with 11 cups?
Are we changing the number in a dozen?
Did they really think we wouldn't notice?
I want my missing muffin!
Needless to say we will no longer be buying this brand...no matter the sale and/or coupon!
Will was very excited to turn 15 but I think his dad was just as excited. It fell to me to take him to the drivers license bureau. I'd forgotten about having to take two test so I wasn't stressed until he'd gone off to take them...I knew he'd been studying the drivers handbook but Will and tests don't go that well together. Needless to say when they told him he'd passed we were both ready to do a happy dance!
All those years of mowing the lawn with the riding lawn mower have paid off....he was a good driver from the get go!
And now nearly two months later I've got to admit I like having a personal driver!
We had so many wonderful experiences the end of April/first of May with the rededication activities for the Atlanta Temple. Our stake was assigned to work the last day of the open house. We waited for Mychel to come home so we could all go through the open house together. It was a day I will always treasure.
After months of practice it was finally time for the cultural celebration the night before the re-dedication. After practicing for hours the day before and another long hot Georgia day of practicing, waiting and finally performing the day of....Will summed up the experience when he said, "I wish we could practice for just one more day!" The blessing of having all of the youth together was immeasurable and then add the opportunity to perform for the prophet. Will took the above picture with his iPod touch....he was that close!
Tornados had ripped through the south just before the re-dedication affecting many in our temple district. Just a day after the dedication we got word that we were needed go to the rescue and help in affected areas. It would be over Mother's day weekend. After having the spirit and blessings poured out so abundantly of course the answer was a quick and resounding YES! The devastation was unimaginable.
Then we had an end of the year band concert....
and a Court of Honor where I became the mom of two life scouts!
Then the arrival of The Coates twins.
And that was all just the month of May....I didn't even mention the weekly knife making classes and track.
Then the boys first EFY, Youth Conference and LDS/BSA encampment kept us on the go this summer.
Before we knew it summer was over and school was starting. I'm so grateful they had a summer full of experiences that helped them put on their spiritual armor in preparation for HIGH SCHOOL! Holy cow...ready or not...here it comes!
Monday, May 9, 2011
In March the date for the rededication of the Atlanta Temple and cultural celebration was announced and the craziness began. It goes without saying we were thrilled. It's been nearly two years, about a year longer than they originally estimated, not to mention the opportunity for our boys and the youth of all the stakes in our temple district. At times we wondered how we get everything done we needed to, how everything would come together, how we could afford all the travel and accompanying expenses.
Then add:
Stake scouting training I was in charge of putting together
Zac and his track practices and meets,
fund raising for boy scout camp,
Gary still working out of town,
attending a different unit in the stake each Sunday as part of my stake calling,
Gary helping with BSA training,
a baby shower to put on for two dear friends
RS dutch oven evening activity at our home
Gary getting an terrible bacterial infection that put him down for over a week...it was BAD!
supporting the boys with their egg and yard businesses
all while working around weekly practices as well as stake practices for the cultural celebration
training for working the openhouse
oh and making the costumes...
I admit it was hard, at time, to keep perspective. I began to only focus on the next event. That was a blessing when we found out we have roots that have compromised a pipe in the slab under our house (oh and also the main pipe leading to the septic tank, out back.) When the plumber hands you an estimate with that many digits it pretty much sends you into shock! I had to make a choice to let the news overshadow all the joy and excitement or make the choice to schedule my breakdown until after the temple dedication.
I know our sacrifices and trial are nothing compared to the pioneers but it has tested our faith, our strength and our focus and given us the opportunity to see the Lord's hand in our lives, draw closer together and put the Lord first!
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