Austin

It's been several years since we have gathered at my dad's in Austin for some family togetherness. Bill drove over from Houston, Grant and I drove down from Dallas (Christine and Garrett both stayed behind because of band commitments), Jim and Brandon flew in from San Diego and Lauren flew from Philadelphia. Not everyone came, but those of us who did, had a great time! We talked and ate and saw Star Trek...loved it!...and played Rock Band. I was certain that the entire town could hear us all belting out "Livin' On A Prayer"! It was a blast! Nothing like having Grandpa on bass guitar, Bill on vocals, Grant at the drums and Brandon on lead guitar! Reid and Clay were crazy good on the guitars! We even indoctrinated Uncle Jim into the fun of Rock Band...He was great on vocals and bass guitar! We also played a game that Reid and Clay invented called "Palm-Palm". It was played with a small rubber ball in teams of two. The object was to hit your opponents in the legs to get them out. It's a bit more complicated than that...but you get the general idea. It got quite physical at times...we were all sweating our guts out and looked forward to resting under the game room fan...too much fun! Uncle Jim and Clay were the victors! I was thrilled whenever I got either Lauren or Brandon "out"...they are true athletes and had serious skills! Bill was insane...tossing Lauren into the wall and removing the skin from the top of one of his toes...he was competitive in a fun way. We laughed and played...great times! My dad is a great sport and had no problem with us playing that in his house! I have considered playing it here...but am certain that the casualties (picture frames, etc.) would be substantial! We are hoping to get together again in the near future. We certainly had allowed too much time to pass since our last get-together.



The Gang after the Rock Band Competition...Reid and Clay's team won!


Sisters...Becky and Lauren


Reid...Clay...Grant

A Phonecall from Elder Casper

What a Mother's Day! The alarm sounded at 6:30am followed by a quick shower. I reviewed the lesson I would be teaching in Relief Society and then choked down a couple of bites of oatmeal. The kids and Bill gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and some awesome Brighton jewelry. Then it was off to Church. The talks were great and the women all received a cute little potted plant...chocolate is ALWAYS my first choice, but a flower is easier on the hips. The lesson was finally over and then I began to focus on the clock! William was calling at 3:30. He called my cell phone because he couldn't remember our home number...since we moved last June, Christine is our only child who has memorized our new number...duh! Anyway, we spoke for about 40 minutes...the time went WAY too fast. He sounds great! He's eating mango, rice, and sugar cane! Drinking lots of water and juice! I told him he had better be brushing his teeth! He's lost a bit of weight...that's what happens when you live in a sauna! He's had a couple of baptisms and has more planned...things are going well. I hated talking on my cell phone with the speaker on. I will be investing in new phones, good ones with an awesome speaker...any recommendations??? I do have some time...we won't be talking to him until CHRISTMAS!!! That seems forever away! What a great Mother's Day gift. We are blessed. I am content!

Colombian Missionary Moments

Just a quick update from our favorite missionary, Elder Casper. I haven't posted in quite a while, so I have some catching up to do...William says the heat is getting better...I am pretty sure that means he is getting accustomed to it. When he enters a house, the people "rush" to get him a fan because he sweats so much! His farmer's tan is coming along and the members are now feeding them, so I don't think he has been sick. They are teaching a ton of investigators and already have some baptisms lined up. They are working with quite a few part member families, so they are busy getting everyone baptized and active. He sounds happy and loves the Colombian people already! Big surprise! He's loving the Latin elders who live with he and his companion...they all seem to have a good time together. We will talk to him on Mother's Day, so I will have more to report on Sunday! I can't wait. What a happy Mother's Day it will be...and I don't even care that I have to teach Relief Society that day! I just know that once church is over, I'm coming home, changing into comfy clothes, being served dinner and waiting patiently by the telephone! Oh happy day!

BYU Women's Conference and FRIENDS

I spent the past few days in Utah. It was a trip different from all other years...in a good way. I am usually on my own schedule...being my usual "control freak". Being with Jennie Jenkins helped me let go a little...and it was good. Jennie flew through DFW on Wednesday and we took the same flight to SLC. That was really a nice start to our trip. We stayed at Jennie's sister-in-laws house in Highland. I dragged her to visit my friend Michelle, who also lives in Highland. Thursday and Friday were packed with upliflting classes and music. There is something special about thousands of women singing the Hymns...it always "moves" me. I learned a lot and was reminded of many things that I should be doing and maybe am not doing. Not a guilt trip or anything...really...just reminders to do a little better. I saw many friends that I hadn't seen in many years. One of the highlights of the trip was breakfast on Saturday morning with wonderful friends from our Married Student housing days! It was SO wonderful reconnecting...laughing and catching up. We were WAY overdue for a little reunion. I am blessed with wonderful friends! Thanks girls! I am home again and must admit that it is great to sleep in my BIG bed! I am spoiled...no question! I am very grateful for those sweet children who gave up their beds for me...thanks Rachelle and Ellorie!





Jennie Jenkins, Heather Kinard, Becky, Christine Sloan and Cindy Gaddis


Melanie Lipscomb and Becky at Women's Conference



Becky and Heather Kinard inside the Marriott Center


Jennie Jenkins and Becky outside the Marriott Center

Mangoes??? Who'd Have Guessed?

We received a great email from William today. I'd had a rather hectic day and after mowing the ever-living ginormous yard (whose idea was it to move???), I came into the house about 7:30pm and sat down at the computer to find the sweetest surprise! An email from Elder Casper. He is doing great...did eat a "bad" meal last Sunday, prepared by his comp. and spent the rest of the day barfing is guts out! Poor baby. They are being fed by the members now, so he's not been sick. William has never been much of a fruit eater...just mainly bananas and grapes. But he reports that he is eating lots of fruit and mangoes are his favorites! I about died! I didn't figure he would starve. Maybe he'll even start to like seafood since Cartagena is on the coast. He loves his ward and says the people are really good at helping him understand what they are saying. All is well down south! Life is good!

A Trip to the Dallas Temple

Mom and Dad with Grant...our lonely Primary Boy.


The Family-Minus William-at the Dallas Temple

This past Saturday, our ward Primary had an activity at the Dallas Temple. The kids were less than enthusiastic when we informed them that they needed to be up early and dressed in their Sunday clothes for a family outing to the temple. We headed to the temple and met up with the other families of Primary children. It was kind of cold, but hearing the children sing primary songs on the steps of the temple was worth it! We then went into the foyer and sang some more...softly. The temple president and his wife spoke to the kids briefly and then we were sent outside on a bit of a self-guided tour. We snapped some photos and were on our way. Honestly, getting dressed up on my "day off" wasn't something I was really looking forward to either. But, without a doubt, we were ALL glad we made the effort. It was time well spent! I love to see the temple!

"The Eagle Has Landed"

I hesitated to write this until we had absolute word that William had arrived safely in Colombia. We received our first email from him today...from his mission. He's there! Before I go on...is it too much to ask that someone in the mission office email the families of arriving missionaries to let them know that they got there safe and sound??? Is that not what we teach our children to do from a very early age? "Now call me and let me know you made it safely." My kids have heard that their entire lives! Anyway, obviously not everyone sees things my way. So, back to our missionary...he is serving in the city of Cartagena, right on the northern coast. His companion is from Riverton, Utah, of all places. He said it's hot and everyone thinks it's funny that he is always sweaty! He's been stared at and called a beautiful Gringo (I would have to agree), by the same lady. Apparently she doesn't see many North Americans. He loves that everyone is happy. I told Bill that if I didn't know better, I'd think that he was still at college...he is so positive and upbeat. This is his life and he's excited! So far, he doesn't seem to be phased by the different culture. I have requested a longer, more detailed letter next week...we'll see if he listens. I just have so many questions. What comfort it gives me to know that he is safe and LOVING his mission! My cup runneth over!