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!

To Bogota and Beyond

How fun it was to talk to William on Monday when he called from the SLC airport. He was finally out of the MTC and would soon be on his way to Colombia...not so fast! He called again to let me know that they were headed BACK to the MTC!!! Their flight from SLC was 2 hours delayed and they would miss their connection at JFK. So they were re-booked on a flight that would leave Tuesday morning and then connect through Atlanta and then on to Bogota. Originally they were to meet up with missionaries from the Colombian MTC and then they would all take the 1 1/2 hour flight north to Barranquilla. Since they left a day late, we aren't certain if they stayed the night in Bogota, or boarded another flight on Tuesday night for Barranquilla. William's district was bummed that they had to return to the MTC on Monday, but the good news was that they were able to "pick up" Elder Yates who was the only member of their district who had not received his visa in time to travel on Monday. His visa came on Monday and he was ready to "rock" on Tuesday...a great day for them all! Can you even imagine being the only missionary left behind??? Brutal! We are hoping to have word soon that he arrived and all is well. In the meantime we are assuming that "no news, is good news." He sounded great and I loved the time we had to visit. If it is possible, he sounded more grown up! William is a blessing to our family.

5 1/2 Months Down...Too Many More To Count!

Okay, this whole Houston to Allen commute thing is for the birds! I can't believe that we actually signed up for this! We are so grateful for good employment, but the commute is a different story. We are surviving fine, it's just not ideal. Bill is really the one who is making the sacrifice. He makes the drive twice a week and he is the one sleeping on an air mattress from Target and relaxing in an old camp chair, watching a 13" tv and eating microwave food. Now doesn't that sound fun?! Good thing he works so much and isn't in his apartment for very long. He is a great sport about all of this. We miss him during the week and look forward to the weekends when we are together. Thanks, Honey, for being such a great provider! We all love you!

Disney Spring Break 2009

We are home and trying to re-adjust to "real" life. We had a wonderful time cruising around the Eastern Caribbean. We enjoyed experiencing the island of St. John...a short water taxi ride from St. Thomas, which we also love. We had great weather, food, entertainment and the kids even behaved themselves. The ship was full of people from Texas (we knew none of them, Texas is a BIG state.) There were also some big LDS groups...30+ friends traveled together from Mesa, AZ and then some famiy reunions...you know, the kind where the grandparents pay for ALL the kids and grandkids!!!(Who can afford THAT!?) Must be nice!!! j/k Disney is a magnet for conservative folks...good, clean, wholesome entertainment! We surely missed William. He adds so much to our vacations. But we are proud he is a missionary, and doing so well! He certainly would have come in handy during the Disney Tune Trivia game...we did win, though. My kids are Disney kids...57 correct answers out of 60! We smoked everyone! Grant also won playing "Who Wants to be a Mousekateer" with Bill as his adult helper! Christine sang in the Family talent show...in a nutshell...we kept busy and had a ton of fun! Now back to reality. Bill is back in Houston and the kids are busy with homework! We are so grateful for the memories we made and the fun we had together!

The kids on a tower at Castaway Cay.

Bill and I high atop a wooden tower on Castaway Cay. Taking a break on our bike ride.

Grant and Christine were on the Mickey Mania show...they were the "Green Goofys" and came from behind to tie for first! They were awesome!

Garrett, Bill and Grant snorkeling near Castaway Cay

Christine and I at Trunk Bay on the island of St. John...BEAUTIFUL!!!

Bill and I enjoying St. Maarten on St. Patrick's Day! (With the Kids)

A crazy family photo at the "Character Breakfast" on Grant's birthday! The waiters make these silly hats for everyone...do we look dumb, or what?

Grant celebrated his 11th birthday and these glasses were given to him by Garrett!

Grant, Garrett and Christine at Animal Kingdom

William and another old friend from Wymount Days...James Jenkins.