Spring Break 2011

It was a crazy, yet fun couple of weeks. William and Christine had Spring Break the week before Garrett and Grant. Of course...it would have been too easy to have had the same week off. But I was up to the challenge of orchestrating a vacation to satisfy everyone. It took some doing, but I got it arranged. I flew to Orlando and met William and Christine, who had flown in from Salt Lake. We spent some time at Downtown Disney that night and then the next two days were spent at amusement parks. Christine was excited to see the new Harry Potter area of Universal...the Hogwarts ride was insane! The second day we spent at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Christine auditioned and made it on their American Idol Experience. It was simply amazing to witness. She has a beautiful voice and a TON of guts! I stand in awe that she has the confidence and ability to sing like that...it was a proud moment. Bill and the boys flew in Wednesday night just in time to catch some sleep before heading to the Disney Cruise Terminal at Port Canaveral. We did a 3-night cruise with everyone and then William and Christine flew back to Utah and Bill, the boys and I got back on the Disney Dream for another 4-night cruise. We are hopelessly addicted to cruising...I can think of worse addictions, so no intervention is necessary:) You might be thinking that our trip would be over after the second cruise...wrong. We decided that since we were in Orlando, we might as well take advantage of visiting a park...so off to Hollywood Studios again. Disney loves families like us. It was a great trip. But we were actually ready to come home and do something besides nothing:) I did read 2 books while we were gone. Nothing like sunshine, relaxing and NO household chores:)

A much overdue post...William is Home!!!

Our much-anticipated reunion came on Thursday, February 10th, just after 7pm. We were so happy to finally wrap our arms around Elder Casper! He had traveled many miles and many hours from Colombia...he was tired but happy to see everyone. The Colombian sun had been good to him...and the people fed him well. I think he has grown some...spiritually and physically. It is a bit surreal to have a child return after such a long separation. He has changed and I am sure we have too. In fact, William mentioned that everyone looks bigger and that Bill and I look older---thanks Bud:) Time does march on...William spoke in Church on the Sunday after he returned. We were glad that Grandpa and Susan made the drive up from Austin. William's Spanish is good and thank goodness Bill and I speak Spanish too. It comes in handy when William forgets an English word. He was home for 2 weeks and is now off to Utah and Snow College again. Today was his first day of mid-semester classes. He was anxious to start "doing something" again. The adjustment back into "civilian" life can be painful. Hopefully William will adjust quickly and with little "discomfort". He is at Snow with Christine...hopefully they will be able to balance each other out...William can encourage Christine to have some fun and Christine can encourage William to focus on his studies:) We are hopeful.
Some very happy parents:)

The Caspers---Texas and Utah:)

The Cottrells

Papa and Grandma Casper

The Wrights...Jana, Logan, Gabbie and Connor

William's "First Supper" in the States...On the Border

We got home late on Thursday, so we took a picture under the banner Friday morning!

Spending a little time with Grandma Casper

Our Frozen Tundra

I know many of my friends up North and those living in Utah or Idaho might call us wimps, but this is Texas, NOT Alaska...the ICE, the SNOW, they are not really welcome around these parts. School has been out for 4 consecutive days. We have ventured out a couple of times, but the ice on the roads is treacherous. We will be glad to say goodbye to Winter 2011!

8 Days...

We are on the home-stretch! William will be home next Thursday! We are ready for him:) I have been busily getting everything in order. The painting is done. The new blinds are hung. The "welcome home" banner is purchased. We are in the process of deciding what to do the first few days he his home. He has requested that we do some clothes shopping...the box of pre-mission clothes that are in his closet will most like not be sufficient. We are planning on doing a temple session and he will have a talk to prepare...he is speaking the Sunday after he returns. The crazy thing is that he is only going to be home for 2 weeks before he heads off to Utah and college. I envision myself following him around for those 2 weeks, hanging on his every word. I hope no one minds me sitting next to him and standing next to him everywhere we go. Being apart for 2 years is my license to follow him around like a little puppy dog...I doubt he'll mind:) He is use to having a companion with him 24/7, right? We(I) made it! We(I) survived the 2 year separation...but in all honesty, we(I) would not have wanted William anywhere else. His service to the Lord, at this time, in Colombia, is more important that anything else. We are so proud of William and his missionary service.

#2 Ice Day

Here in North Texas we aren't known for cold weather, but when it hits, it hits hard! Two days ago it was in the 50's and today I think it might be 15 degrees. We have lived in the snow before and snow is at least negotiable on the roads...ice is an entirely different story. We thought we'd head out to lunch yesterday and made it 2 minutes down the road before turning around. I look outside at our pool and dream of warmer weather. The boys have been home from school for two days and Bill has been working from home as well. We had grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch and taco soup and corn bread for dinner...some good comfort food. We are hoping for warmer temperatures...our "built-in" weather days have evaporated...it's time to get back to school:)

A Serious Shout-Out

Okay, it's not like a ton of people visit my blog...but if you are reading this, you need to look at my blog list to the right and click on the one that says "Lisa". You will not be disappointed. Lisa and I have been friends for many years and she just started an amazing blog. She is a "do-it-yourselfer" around the house. She finds deals at the local resale shop and makes them into great pieces for her home. I have always been inspired by her vision...She just redid (is that even a real word?) a bookcase...she REALLY thought "ouside of the box" and it is incredible. So go ahead, click on her blog and become a "follower". You'll be glad you did:)

20 days...

2o days until we see our "Sweet William" again. I can hardly believe the time has come. Truly the 2 years have gone fast...a tender mercy from the Lord, no question. I received an awesome phone call from the "Colombia Barranquilla" mission office. I let the call on the home phone go because the caller ID said "Out of Area"...then an unfamiliar number came up on my cell phone. Luckily I didn't let that one go. A sweet Latin elder spoke in perfect English. He wanted to inform me of Elder Casper's itinerary. Although we received his flight plans from Salt Lake a month ago, I let him tell me every detail. There was just something special about speaking with someone who was in the same country as William and who knows him. I spoke a little Spanish to him, which is always fun, and then we hung up. It took a few minutes for me to stop smiling. These are some good times, my friends! We are on the cusp of one of those "Parental Paydays"...a child returning from a 2-year Church mission with honor! I try not to dwell on the actual airport reunion...it makes me cry...I do still have to get through the next 3 weeks. I'll allow myself to "dwell" perhaps the week of his return...yep, that sounds good. I hereby give myself permission to be a basket case that last week:) No doubt it will be one of those "out-of-body" experiences.