Tonight we had RS. It was at Laurie’s house. Her home is very beautiful and she is very gracious to always open it up for everyone to enjoy. 

We had a nice dinner and then put together 150 Christmas stockings for giving out next month. 

It was a lot of fun.

Our ward is very warm and loving to each other. It’s always nice to be with the sisters and we feel welcome and a part of it.

Grace found out yesterday that she was selected for the all state choir! We are very excited. 

So I am super bummed. Rob was supposed to have a work meeting at pax the first week of December. I got a ticket so I could tag along and was so looking forward to seeing beautiful Maryland again, I had plans with so many friends and was looking forward to seeing them and giving them hugs and spending time together.  I was looking forward to an afternoon in DC. Eating at some of our favorite restaurants and seeing some of our favorite places. Now his meeting has been cancelled and we are not going to go:( I thought about still going but then my cheap trip of only having to buy one plane ticket would change into a ticket, a rental car, a hotel... 

This is very disappointing.  I ❤️ MD and miss living there and miss my very good friends there.

Odds and ends

Monday I needed to get the oil changed in my car. I went to Walmart first and the wait was 51/2 hours.   Next I went to valvoline where I was second in line. Much better.

Tuesday I subbed at the high school. It was Election Day and Rob and I both voted and we didn’t cancel each other’s votes out. So that’s noteworthy:)


Tuesday night we went to the temple. We did sealings. It was fun, there was a family there from Columbia doing family work. It turned out they were Spanish Basque. The sister moved to the US in 2012 and met the missionaries and got baptized. She then called her family in Columbia and they took the lessons and 11 of them also got baptized. Now 8 of them live in Florida and they are working on getting the others here. They were very happy to be doing temple work for their ancestors.

Today Luka is going to the vet. Tonight is mutual. It’s still warm outside, in the high 80’s. 

Life is good.

Stake Conference

We had stake conference today and it was great. I enjoyed many of the talks and Grace and Rob were in the choir and they did a great job!

After the Crawley’s came over for dinner. We had a fun visit sitting around the table eating, talking, playing a game before dessert. 

Tomorrow they are going to the space coast, which will be super fun! Monday is Hannah’s day off and Sawyer also has it off this week so that worked out great!

Saturday

Brian and Tami are in town to visit Hannah and Sawyer. We’ve seen them a couple of times. This morning we all went to the temple together and then out to lunch. It was a good visit. 

Last week Rob and I missed our temple trip and we almost missed this week so I was particularly glad to go.

The stake had a soccer game going. We dropped Ethan off and then he walked over to the temple after and waited for us. He had a really great time playing. They are thinking about doing it again, which I am quite glad about.

I like this picture of the kids playing and the spire is the temple peeking out above the trees.

Alec and Kelly were going to go to

Hogwarts today but had a change of plans and went to

Epcot instead. After lunch I went over and met them for a couple hours. I am sad we don’t live near each other. The time I get to spend with my siblings is very special and too few and far between.

Tonight was the the adult session of stake conference. We went with the Crawley’s (x2). It was pretty good. I really liked Sister Wills talk.

Fri-yay!

Rob took the kayak out fishing. He caught lots of fish. So good day for him.
Alec and Kelly are in town. They are here for a convention. We met them last night for dinner at a Brazilian restaurant. The food was meh but we had fun anyway.

Today Alec and Kelly and I went to the Magic Kingdom. We had a super fun time. We got to ride lots of rides and ate Disney shaped snacks and drank Diet Coke.

It started raining while we were on the jungle cruise. Actually pouring. 

After Disney we went out to dinner with Rob and the kids. 

The day went by way too fast!!!

Books

While reading the scriptures tonight Luka kept pouncing on Grace’s head! He’s a crazy guy! This picture cracked me up. You can’t see Ziva’s eyes but they mirrored Lu’s. Both girls were looking at me like “do you see what he is doing?”

I subbed bio mechanical science at the high school today. This really means the students had independent assignments on their laptops and I read my book. I finished it today and I loved it. It’s set in France during WWII and it’s about two sisters who fight against the Nazi’s but in very different ways. 

It was sad, and horrible, and sweet and relatable all at the same time. I recommend it to anyone. It made me think of dad, growing up in that same place, during that same time. It made me think of moms all around the world and what they would do to keep their children safe. 

I am well into President Nelson’s challenge to read the Book of  Mormon by the end of the year. I have been enjoying it so so much. I got a new copy specifically for this and have been highlighting all the passages that talk of Christ. Grace walked by this evening while I was studying and said “you might as well color the whole page yellow! You’re marking everything.” It’s true the book is all about Him. It teaches us how to be like Him and lets us get to know Him and to love  Him. I am so grateful for the Savior and the blessings of the atonement in my life. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon and know that it is true. 

That’s a wrap

And now we are moving on to gratitude month! My favorite!

This Halloween was a good one. I love to see the creative costumes and I love social media because I get a little peek at my loved ones!

Deo, Joneaux and Arrow a.k.a. Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter and Hedwig!!

Little Noah was the Black Panther!! I didn’t see a picture of Reggie so idk what he was but I’m sure it was cute too!

Val, Alec and I have big kids so it’s different for us but here is Kenz as Miss Scarlett! She and her room mates dressed up as the clue game! So clever!!

Ruby and Cora went as grannies!! Clayton was their Big Bad Wolf and Jenna was little Red Riding Hood! Love it! Their ward had trunk or treat on Halloween which was so perfect.

Penny and her buddy Claire. Penny was Jasmine with a cute little Rajah. She loves little things!!

River and Scarlett were incredible kids!!! Perfect for those two little balls in energy!!

And finally big and little Picachu. 

Tatum was a tiger but I don’t have a picture. 

I also didn’t see any pictures from Em’s family.

Fun times!!!

And let’s not forget Makayla McCrary the cutest little M&M!!