Firsts

This was a weekend of firsts. Stephanie went on her first date! She went with one of her best friend's older brother's. (Brother to the friend she saw at BYU, Katie). A very nice, Utah-mormon family--not from Utah. It was a good date, one I hope she will hold as a standard for dates to come. Especially because I am sure she will date non-members. She seems to enjoy the idea that dating is for fun, "friends getting together to do something fun" not dating to find a steady partner. This could change as she dates more; or less and wants to date more. But for now she can enjoy having fun with friends. I wish I had understood the concept when I was her age. Poor Darrell.
Nathan was ordained President of the Deacon's quorum today. The past week was interesting to be able to guide him in choosing his counselors; to watch the process. "I don't think Joe and Timmy will get along if I chose them for my counselors." (They already DO NOT get along.)
Stuart was ordained an Elder and gave his first blessings the day before school started. The blessings he gave us were simple, basic, and tender. He cried more with each successive blessing as he felt and understood the promptings of the Spirit. Truthfully, expected the blessings to be very similar because of his inexperience. They were unique to each of us. (Oh, me of little faith.).

AMBER ALERT!!!!!!

HAVE YOU SEEN ME?

NAME: The Crazy Lady
FROM: Escondido, California
DATE MISSING: Monday, July 28 2008
LAST SEEN: "Utah Vacation"
DATE OF BIRTH: September 6
AGE: not too old and younger than her age
HEIGHT: taller than Leighann but shorter than Lynette
HAIR: brown
SEX: probably...she has four kids!
WEIGHT: none of your business...skinny...that is all you need to know
EYES: hazely green
DESCRIPTIVE FEATURES: Double jointed knees, pencil lead in eye brown, no ear piercings or any other bodily piercings (that I know of)

If you have any information or know where she might be please contact us immediately. She has been know to frequent other blogs, leaving comments but her specific whereabouts are unknown.

REWARD: A generous reward has been offered by her parents of salt, garden fresh vegetable, family group sheet and insect identification. If found blogging fresh homemade bread is included with the aforementioned reward.

I was just thinking

This summer I had a chance to do some things I haven't been able to do in quite a long time. Seemed like forever!!! I planted a garden and did some sewing. These two activities made me think about when I had more time for these things...like when my kids were small...like when I wasn't in school. Then I thought about all my sisters and how they are living their lives right now. Although I felt, I know that what I am doing right now is the right thing for me. Aside from that, I could see how "back in the day I was raising my family" and they (my sisters) were going to school, I was finding all kinds of great recipes and doing all kinds of fun things with my kids, and my sisters were making meals from a box (remember the mac and cheese?) and going nowhere for any length of time. Now I cook meals from a box, or the kids do, we go nowhere for any length of time and my kids pretty much are on thier own. Meanwhile, my sisters are finding all kinds of great recipes and doing all kinds of fun things with their kids. Just something I have been thinking about. I can't wait to get back to having time to do some fun stuff.

All I can say in a minute

School has started. Stuart says he wants to go back to school! We were assigned 300 pages to read for one of my classes-due Monday morning!!! Stephanie loves her biology class and Nathan is feeling pretty secure about getting around the school now. He doesn't have the normal 7th grade schedule. He goes to the eighth grade house for math and science so he travels around the school throughout the day instead of staying in the 7th grade house all day. I knew he'd do fine. All four of my kids have given talks within the last month and I've been told they did a good job. I thought they did, but I'm the mom, I think they are the best.
Sunday, Patrick finally told me that he is preparing for a mission within the next year! He plans to be leaving the end of next summer. Then, Wednesday, Stuart had an appointment with the bishop. He has also started preparing to leave on a mission within the next year! I am soooo excited that this is their desire. I am not sure how I will be able to help them pay for it though since Paul got over half of the money that was set aside for their missions. times up I have homework to do.