Dustin,

Dustin, I'm sorry we haven't called. 

Tony has a small picture album to carry with him. His Mission President 

gave him that same advice. 

He also has electrical converters and a cool "kanga pouch" to hold his 

passport in. 

Does he really need a robe? Vitamins?  

Can you buy suits in Russia that are reasonably priced?

How careful do you have to be about the food and water there?

Will Tony learn all he needs to know, about money and food, from 

his Senior Companion?

What advice do you have for him that I'm not thinking of?

Will he be okay?

Anxiety is inching it's way through me. Have any advice for me?

Maybe your mom can answer that one. :) 

We went to a cool Russian deli/grocery called Luybochka.

We learned about some of the food there and the owner 

brought Tony to the grocery area and let him taste all kinds 

of food they had there. He loved a lot of it. He bought some  

and tried some more.  The lady who owned the place was 

so happy to know we wanted to try the food  and was even
happier when we enjoyed it! We ate Borscht, and some kind of
dumpling with mashed potatoes in it. A dumpling with hamburger balls
in it and a yummy dessert called blitzzi (I think). It's a crepe filled with
farmers cheese and drizzled with chocolate sauce and sour cream.
What did you like to eat there where you served?  

I think we will go again before Tony leaves and become

friends with these generous people. They told us a lot about 

Russia and how cold it is there. Ugh.

But, how nice Russian people are. We had a good example 

in these two friendly ladies.

Anyway, tell me what you know....

Love,

Your Aunt...

Kelly

Things are moving nicely along...

A small update on Tony Jr. and mission prep.  We are done with all paperwork.
Passport, visa info are sent in to the travel office in Salt Lake. All doctor and
dentist visits have been done for a while. He has to get the Typhoid
immunization right before he enters the MTC.

This Saturday morning he goes to the Draper Temple.

Sunday is his Farewell talk and then....
We SHOP, SHOP, SHOP.
My favorite thing......not really.
We have about 3 1/2 weeks until he enters the MTC.
He's excited.
The rest of us are having mixed feelings. Sara can't wait to get his room and truck,
but she,and the rest of us will miss him so much.

 Looks like a beautiful place doesn't it? 

I am Thankful...

It's been so nice to have my husband home and to be with him without so many concerns swirling around his mind. Life has slowed a little and it feels good.
Our family finally got some pictures taken by Tony's girly Heather.  I think they look nice. She does a great job. Here are some of the pictures.

I'm so thankful for my family.

A New Chapter...

The worst thing about having a blog is getting pictures up here. It's a frustrating thing when the computer doesn't cooperate.  Soon I will have pictures up of Halloween, Lilly's baptism, our awesome family vacation to Crescent City and Oregon and our family pictures. Stay tuned....

Last Sunday during the first portion of Sacrament meeting Tony Jr. was sustained to the office of an Elder. 

Tony Sr. and I were sustained to be the Trail Bosses for 2013 Pioneer Trek for our Stake. For some odd reason the members of our ward laughed during that part.  Why? What's so funny? Are we missing something?

We will be in charge of the whole Trek. If it is not successful, it's our fault.  It's a little intimidating. We checked out a bunch of stories about the Pioneers and  WOW!... they are so sad and so inspiring. We're making an appointment with the last trail bosses so that will help.  Tony and I were a Ma and Pa on our stake's trek 8 years ago so, we have an idea of how it's all suppose to work.  

It will be fun to work so closely with my husband. We've never done anything like this before, together. 

After church, the priesthood holders in my family, the bishopric, and a member of the stake presidency gathered around Tony Jr to ordain him. It was a large circle so they all had to squish in there. To see so many Priesthood holders surround my son like that was an amazingly spiritual thing to see. I loved it.
I was so happy.

Did you vote today?  I got to work at one of the poll stations.  It was a long 15 hour day, but fun to meet new people.   A Spanish guy from Peru was helping me with my spanish.  "Cuanto mas?" he would ask me, or "What day is it today? Yesterday?" in spanish. I would answer if I could. He told me to get to New York as soon as possible before it ceases to exist.
Our poll manager (age 70 something) kept standing in peoples way to get to the registration table just to bug them. When I told him he needed to move out of the way he told me to meet him out at the flag pole. Then he proceeded to brag about a time he actually punched a girl in the face.
A guy there had the same last name as me, spelled the same and everything. We were trying to find a common ancestor but couldn't.
I met a lady that was a lot like me. A 40 something  homeschooling mom. We had so much in common it was weird.
One lady was so cute and got a kick out of everyone's personality and she giggled at everything. She held a lot of the babies that came through the line with his/her parents. She was fun.
One lady I had worked with before likes to read so we talk a lot about the books we have read. She bought "Laddie" to read, after I told her last time I saw her, how awesome that story is.
And another guy who likes WWII stories. And the lady in charge of all the machines is just plain nice and smart. I learned how to do provisional ballots which was awesome.
These were the people I worked with for 15 hours. It's fun to see how complete strangers can come together like that and get a big job done. We worked really good together and quite efficiently, thank you very much!
Anyways, I'm tired.
Goodnight.

Halloween is Tomorrow

Oh, the excitement is peaking!

The kids can hardly contain themselves.

Lilly and Ian bought stuff from the dollar store for their costumes...

...with perma grins.

They just might burst before tomorrow.

What it was like to be the Bishop's wife

Last Sunday it was announced that there would be a change in the
Bishopric next week. We have known about it for a few weeks now
and it's been fun to hear all the speculation going on.  One of the ladies
in relief society wanted us (me and a the second counselors wife) to tell
her who was called to be the next Bishop. Cindy just told her to go home 
and pray and fast about it. Yes, that's what I was going to say. :)

My husband knew he would be called to be the Bishop. He didn't want it
but he knew it was coming. I felt the same way and felt like I was being being
 prepared for it. When the Stake President called, Tony said, "That was the call."
and I felt a warmth pour on the top of my head and run down my body to my
toes. When we were done with the interview with the Stake Pres., we walked home.
I felt so happy. Not that he was called to be the Bishop but because I knew Heavenly
 Father knew me and Tony personally. He had let us know what he needed us to
do and he prepared us for it. I felt so loved by Him. I was elated! I promised Heavenly
 Father right then and there I would NEVER complain one bit about anything he had
to do for the ward, the meetings he would need to attend or ANYTHING. I didn't
dare do it. You maybe could have heard a sigh once in a great while but never
a complaint.  

It's been 6 years and 1 month for my husband, as the bishop, and about 3 1/2  
years as a counselor. So for 9 1/2 years I've been sitting in Sacrament Meeting 
alone with my kids. It hasn't been bad though. I guess it was a hard when the kids 
were younger but, now, it's good. Ian doesn't go to sleep during Sacrament 
Meeting to escape the anxiety of going to Primary anymore.  And the kids are pretty 
happy with just a pen and paper to entertain themselves when they are not listening 
to the speakers. They do listen to the speakers too because they are genuinely 
interested in what they have to say.  Amazing. We always tried to get my husbands 
attention up there on the stand just to get a wink or a smile of acknowledgement. 
We got his look of chastisement when we happened to be rowdy and he just rolled
his eyes at us when Ian accidently poured the sacrament water in his eye and I 
couldn't stop laughing. 

My husband has been the bishop the whole 6 years Tony Jr. has been in 
Young Mens.  He has taught the Young Women on every 4th Sunday. 
He's had 9-12 hour Sundays and 2-4 hour Tuesday evenings plus fun Youth 
Conferences, visiting girls camp, scout camps, trips to the temple with the youth 
and the ward. One where they visited all the temples in Utah. One or two temples 
a month. He's been to all the Young Women's General Meetings, and Some Relief 
Society General Meetings. He also earned his Wood Badge Award during this time.  
I had to go to hospital (when I was pregnant) while he was at Youth Conference, out 
of town.  We had our baby (Ian) NOT while he was out of town, thank goodness.
We endured 2 of the Ian's  surgeries. He was also out of town with the youth when 
I had to bring Lilly to the hospital after she  tripped over a step stool and bashed her 
face into the corner of the wall. She was sedated and got stitches and temporary 
braces to bring her teeth back in place.  His brother stayed with us during cancer 
treatments and then passed away while we went through a financial crisis
for 4 years, and the windows of Heaven were literally opened and blessings 
were poured out on our family. We had neighbors, ward members,  family 
and people we didn't even know, become instruments in God's hands in our behalf.   
We learned so much about serving and loving. We deepened our relationship with 
each other and our Savior. 

It's been humbling to see Tony come home from meetings weary and then walk
in on him kneeling in prayer for our ward members. And when he's frustrated
when there is so much need  and we couldn't see how it was all going to work
out and it somehow does. When he speaks to the ward in such an eloquent and
loving way and helps others to come closer to the Savior.  And when he comes
home so proud of the good work everyone is doing in their callings and see a worry
lifted from his shoulders. 

It hasn't been all roses. He's made mistakes and he's made people mad and there
were times when he didn't know what to do but Heavenly Father was right there
helping him through all of it. He's grown so much and I was a witness. He loves
the people in our ward; that much I know.

I felt so "watched". One of my friends told me that "absolutely" people were 
watching me.  During Sacrament meeting and how I dealt with my children. I was 
put on a pedastool. My friend said that she was intimidated to be my friend at first 
because I was the Bishop's wife.  I did not like that part of it. Sometimes I would 
show people just how imperfect I was so they would feel more comfortable around 
me but I would have to be careful to set a good example.  Sometimes I was outgoing 
and wanted to meet everyone in the ward and shake everyone's hand and other
times I felt so shy I wanted to go hide in a corner so no one could see me. Ever!  
Some of the members  would call me "The Mother of the Ward" when I felt so 
inadequate to be a mother of my own children.  And some members called me 
"Sister Bishop". Sometimes I would feel proud of that and other times I just got 
a little bugged.

I wanted to be as eloquent as my husband  when I spoke or taught, but I wasn't. 
Most of the time I just tried to be myself and just do what was right for my growing 
family.

I learned a lot during those years. A lot about myself and my weaknesses. And how
I can be a better follower of Christ. His disciple. And how I can love people the
way He does.  And how being myself is the best place because He made me. He
has given me my own strengths and talents. He loves me and I am His daughter
and I can do much good with His guidance.

So, being the Bishop's wife was pretty awesome. There were some awesome things
I was able to do just because he was the Bishop. Like: cool trainings,  visiting Girls
camp, and meeting a member of the Seventy and his sweet wife. I got to kiss the
Bishop on the lips. No one else had that privilege.:)

It's been an awesome 6 years of "growing" and learning. I am excited for those
who are called next to have their own experience getting to know the Savior better.
That is why we are here. It's hard and we cry and we pray and then we pray some
more and we cry some more and then we learn.

And one thing we must never forget. We are never left alone. NEVER.

School started..... 2 months ago

School has started and I didn't take any pictures of the two. T started his Freshman year in College.  Working part time and school part time and maintaining his truck( had to replace the windshield and get the safety and emissions done so can get the thing registered)  and a cell phone bill soon. Well, welcome to independence! He loves it, but he's tired and has realized he has to squeeze  in social time where he can.

S started her Sophomore year in High School.A new year with her cousin Lauren. So exciting! She is so on top of everything and has everything under her control. She's pretty good at prioritizing her time. She loves her classes and is making friends all over the place!

C, D, Lills and E will start next week. Our year is pretty packed full of some fun experiences. C is starting again at Shining Light Commonwealth taking Key of Liberty (a study of our Founding Fathers and the Declaration of Independence), Social Dance and ice skating . I will be teaching her, her friend Becca and her cousin Julia Literature and Becca's mom is teaching them Biology and Chemistry I believe. She is also taking this cool photography class on line.

D  Flash Animation on line, Soccer or whatever sport he decides which could include swimming or basketball (UGH!) and  Literature and math.

Lills is taking a photography class, swimming, math and literature. She is going to a great tutor(Alicia Wrathall, let me know if you want her number. She is AMAZING)to help her read.

E is starting with his own stuff this year and is so excited to have a planner like everyone else. :)

Some fun stuff too: Cooking and sewing. I want to get some new curtains in my kitchen and living room and
trash those darn blinds. We want to cut up the clothes I've been saving from my kids and make each child a quilt. I'm thinking this is a huge project that will probably take me about 2-10 years.

We will see how we all fare this year. It looks fun but it's easier said than done.

I have been in a huge purging phase which has helped everything have a place in our tiny home.
It's hasn't been that hard and so relieving to have a bunch of stuff gone so I don't have to think about it any more.

I'm so grateful for so many things. My mom and dad have moved back into town and I have the most amazing husband and kids. I just love them all so much. We were able to go on an amazing vacation with my family (I will post pictures when I can.) I think I have grown a little wiser and happier. I love my life.

The awesome books we are reading this year:
Lills:
Little House In The Big Woods
The Courage of Sarah Noble
the White Stallion
The Boxcar Children


D:
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
The Bronze Bow
Carry on Mr. Bowditch
Big Red

C:
I am David
The Giver
7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens
The Door in the Wall
Laddie
Some for Key of Liberty:
The Red Scarf Girl
The Freedom Factor
The Landing of the Pilgrims
Fifty-Five Fathers
and a bunch more.

Family Out Loud Reading:
Half Magic
Summer of the Monkeys

Up date on this post. The reading is going Great! I love reading. Dallin reads his books out loud to me which helps with his comprehension. The online classes are hard. I wont ever do on line Computer Tech classes  again. It would be so much better in a classroom setting with a teacher right there for help.  And because I'm not very computer savvy, it's not going too great. Math and Literature are going great too. Lilly and Ian both love math. I am teaching them the little Spanish I know. Right they are learning the days of the week.

Chloe is taking Social Dance and loves, loves, loves it. I'm signing the rest of the kids up for swimming lessons in the next couple of weeks.

We are taking a field trip once a month with some other home school families and it's been pretty fun. In September we hiked up a trail at Brighten Ski Resort  to Mary's Lake. It was a beautiful Fall day, perfect weather,and  the lake was so pretty. We had a picnic up there too. The kids had fun throwing rocks in the water and trying to catch the little fish in their sandwich baggies. :)

October we had a Free Enterprise Day. We met at a park where the kids set up their places of business where they sold something. They had to have a sign and a business license(that they could buy for a dime) posted so they were official. Then they could sell, or barter for what they wanted. Dallin sold Origami frogs, Hearts, and Boomerangs and lessons to learn how. Lilly sold Lemonade which worked out great because the drinking fountains didn't work. She had competition with a boy selling Hot Chocolate and Wassail. I think they made the same amount of money though. They learned so much: How to count change back, what they should have done for better business. Dallin needed to turn his table around so more people could see his sign. Then he went around trading his goods so people would know what he had. It was really fun, and we were lucky again to have perfect weather. My kids, together, made $8.55 that they are saving for wood for a tree house.

Okay, this post is long enough.....more later.
Happy Sunday and Monday everyone.