A Quick Catch-Up

My best friend Jennie was able to come down and spend a few days with me! We had a nice relaxing few days. She had been neck deep in wedding plans and travel for the previous few months, so a little R&R was a welcome sight for her. We saw some movies, shopped a little and ate out at every opportunity...we weren't short on visiting either:) Friends are a good thing...I just wish we lived closer. Just a short 3 1/2 months until I see her again in Hilton Head:) (Not soon enough)

School is out for the college-goers and for the boys...it has been for a little while. William and Christine spent the entire month of May here...it has been nice having so many drivers around! I have appreciated the support. The boys finished the school year last Friday and that same day, William and I took to the highway as we drove back to lovely Ephraim, Utah and Snow College. William is attending the summer term. Christine is staying home this summer to work and hang out with her awesome family! We love having her around.

While we had both grown-up kids here, Bill and I took full advantage of them and spent a few days in South Florida...Singer Island to be exact. We got a great deal through Marriott and stayed at a beautiful resort on the beach...the weather was wonderful...sunny every day and complete with a wonderful southern thunder storm one evening. We watched the storm roll in and out as we ate at wonderful restaurant on the marina...we had walked to dinner that night and were grateful the storm passed quickly so we could walk home without being drenched:) We love sunshine, breakfasting, lunching and reading poolside! We are blessed to have these opportunities to get away every spring! And the kids were well taken care of! Thanks William and Christine!

It is pool season and we are doing our best to get the most of our investment! Just today I was very content as I soaked up the sun poolside with my sister in law, 3 friends and most of their kids...It was a good day. I love me some girlfriend time:)

I will try to shoot some good pictures and post them next time...I am kind of lame...maybe I'll take some at the boxing clinic we are all doing, or the quilting class Christine and I are taking...or of Bill and Grant at Scout Camp....I DO need to post about Grant's Eagle Project that took place two weeks ago...so much to do and oh so little time...

Until later...

I Love to See the Temple

This is what love looks like:) What an honor to witness the eternal union of Megan and James in the Salt Lake Temple...William and I were so happy to be a part of this special occasion.

Becky and Jennie...Best Friends Forever...Such a happy day!

William and Becky with James and Megan Jenkins

William and Ethan Lipscomb...Best Buds at the Manti, Utah Temple

William, Christine and one proud mom at the Manti Temple...in a world where there is so much chaos and immorality...it's no small thing to be "worthy" and "clean" to enter the Temple of the Lord and perform saving ordinances for our ancestors. Grandma McClintic is smiling down on her beloved William and Christine:)

Things I love

Popcorn. Especially with butter, lots of salt, and a good move!

Sunshine. I doubt I will ever call Alaska home.

Conversation with people I love. Not idle chit chat, but real honest to goodness talking...it always lightens my load and lifts my spirits.

Hearing my children laugh. That side-splitting kind of laughter.

A good sweat. Which usually means I have done something good for my body.

Matinees...Solo. I have always found these to be therapeutic.

My bed. I feel great comfort and peace as I lay my head down each night...feeling greatly blessed.

Travel. I would like to be on a perpetual trip...it doesn't appear to be my time or season...yet:)

My mother. She’s gone, but her memory haunts my heart everyday.

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.