Whatever....

Okay...have a little fun reading the comments on the photos...just when I thought I was getting the hang of blogging, I screw it up. Oh well! I suppose you are all smart enough to figure it out. Have fun and thanks for being my family and friends! I love you all for your patience...

Catching up...

It's been a while since I posted anything. Really we live a pretty boring life...and I am NOT complaining. The kids are doing well...actually, now that I think about it...Garrett has been pretty sick for the last couple of days. In fact, Bill is at our friend's house watching the BYU/TCU game (we don't have the weird Versus channel) and I am blogging, eventhough we BOTH should be at the Adult Stake Conference meeting...I am tending to the sick and Grant was having a spaz attack because we wouldn't take him someplace to watch the game...I guess it all worked out. Hopefully someone will fill us in on the important things we are missing as I type...and I wonder...being unemployed and all, are we going to be denied blessings because we opted not to attend the meeting...I'd like to hope not. Our hearts are in the right place...tending to the sick and supporting the Lord's football team! :) Geez...I always tend to digress....We are well. Bill is keeping busy...even doing some awesome project work which more than covers our expenses and still allows him to network. Life is good.

William is doing well...happy and working hard. This last week he and his companion were given the assignment of looking for a new place to live. Apparently they are currently sleeping in the room reserved for "sick" missionaries. In his mission there are a fair amount of sick elders so they are sent to live near the mission president and his wife until they are healthy enough to return to their areas. I doubt William will mind living in a place for 2 rather than 10 elders. He said it requires a lot of patience to live with so many people. No doubt he is doing fine though.

Here are a few pictures to catch you all up on our exciting lives...enjoy....


We enjoyed some yogurt at our new favorite spot here in Allen...Yogurtville! It's yummy! Reid and Clay liked the fact that you got to serve yourself and add whatever toppings you wanted...good times...


Grant loved the visit from his Uncle Reid! They really are great friends. Here they are at Grant's football game...Grant is still on "injured reserve" so they hung out on the sidelines together...a beautiful Fall day.


Garrett is FINALLY "brace-free". Hooray! It's been a long 2 1/2 years...but well worth the hassle. He looks great!



We have had an awful lot of rain this fall. These shots are from our back patio...not an uncommon sight in these parts. I love me a good old fashioned Texas storm! This particular storm dumped a TON of water...creating "Lake Casper" once again in our backyard


And THIS my friends, is the result of so much rain...fire ant hills. And they are everywhere! This one is huge. Probably 12-14 inches tall...built right into a Dwarf Nandina plant...the nerve of those things! Bill has used several bags of ant killer this fall alone. Good thing he has some extra time on his hands...he spends a fair amount fighting fire ants...oh the joys of Texas!


Christine us a Quartermaster in the marching band. I love this picture of her being silly. Band is SO good for my kids. They have a blast...it is hard work, but full of great times.


William and some "resident" Colombians. This happens to be the profile picture of one of the young men...Welcome to 2009! My how times have changed.

I am Blessed!

Not sure what has brought on the added emotion in my life, but I just have to say that I feel so blessed! Although I could feel sorry for myself...I STILL miss William every minute of every day, we are STILL unemployed, I STILL need to lose that extra 20+ lbs, the laundry is STILL reproducing as we speak, yet I feel an overwhelming amount of joy! As I watched General Conference and then the special about President Monson, I was in tears! How blessed am I to know that I am not alone in this life...ever! No matter my circumstances, the Lord knows what I need and how to comfort me. I am so grateful for a living prophet who lives worthy to receive revelation for the Church and who gives guidance to the world. In a world where there is so much heartache and struggle, I am grateful to know that, come what may, I will be watched out for and taken care of because I have tried to live a life worthy of the Lord's blessings. I do have much to be grateful for. I am living a blessed life...just saying...

News from Colombia

William wrote last night to tell us that he is being transferred to Barranquilla. He has been in Cartagena for the past 5 1/2 months and this is his first transfer. He'll be the senior companion and he'll be living close to the mission office. Because of the location of their apartment, I guess the mission president stops by to study with the missionaries. William feels a bit of pressure...I think it will be great for him. So, as I type he is most likely on a bus headed for Barranquilla. I think it is about a 2+ hour ride. Fun adventures await, no doubt. He was a little bummed because they have an upcoming baptism that he'll miss. Such is mission life.

Best Friend's Weekend

For the past 5 years my best friend from college, Jennie Jenkins, and I have taken a "girl's weekend" to escape life. It's one of the best ideas we've ever had. Nothing but rest and relaxation for 4 whole days! This year was no exception. The forecast called for a 40-60% chance of rain for the entire time, but we were pleasantly surprised...a sprinkle here and there but Saturday (our pool day) there wasn't a cloud in the sky! We talked, laughed, ate, saw some sights, watched lots of movies, caught some rays, and ate some more. It is a time we look forward to all year. Thanks Jennie for putting up with me and sharing your time. Your friendship blesses my life.
Marriott Hilton Head Resort South Carolina

Paula Deen's "Lady and Sons" Restaurant. Yummy! Savannah, GA

The Citadel...Very cool place. Charleston, SC

Fort Sumter...first shots of the Civil War were fired here...Charleston, SC

Kicking back in the hotel's hammock! So relaxing.

Our TWO Pools

It has been raining for the past 3 days...Texas is FLAT! Our yard is no diffferent! The water has no place to go so it puddles and pools everywhere! So you can see...we now have two pools in our backyard. Oh the joys!

Football Injury #2

About a year ago, I took Grant to Care Now with his first football injury...stitches in his chin...Two weeks ago Grant was playing in his first season football game and had the unfortunate experience of being hit from behind. It was only the 5th play of the game...total bummer! Off to Care Now again. It was determined there that we needed to take him to the emergency room at the hospital. The doctor thought he'd need surgery. Yikes! The 2 doctors at the ER and the orthopaedic on the phone decided he didn't need surgery. Bring him in on Monday and they would cast it. Not so. On Monday the doctor determined that in fact he would need to be sedated and the bones set in place. So...on WEDNESDAY afternoon the dastardly deed was done! Grant was NOT happy to have an IV (the worst part of it all!) He's out for about 6 weeks but still goes to all of the practices and games. He's itching to get on the field again. He's a tough kid and has enjoyed the attention having a huge cast brings!