This and that

P day fun! Ethan and his district went hiking today. They also did yoga. Tonight on our zoom call Papa and Grandma got on and it was fun to hear Elder Utzinger and Papa talk in Spanish. 

I had a job interview today at Wolf Lake Middle and was offered a job teaching 6th grade ELA. I said yes so I guess that’s that. 

Sierra was in a wedding this weekend for her friend Jaime. She looked so pretty in her dress, and she’s doing well. Mom told me they got together the other day and played games and Sierra played great. 

Grace has her band tan going and is darker than me again. Band camp is going well and she likes it. 
 

Tomorrow Tatum flys in!! Can.not.wait!!

Sunday

The Lord needs valiant servants,

To do his work in the latter day,

Who follow the teachings of Jesus

And serve his people in a loving way.

I will be his servant

And keep my cov’nants valiantly.

I’ll stand for truth. I’ll stand for right.

The Lord can depend on me.

Today our Sunday School lesson was really good. It was on section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Steve was our substitute teacher and he did a great job. He approached the topic from the perspective of how does where we  end up after our earth life relate to our relationship with Jesus Christ. We had some really good discussion. Brandon Bushman talked about singing a primary song at bedtime with his two little ones that is about being valiant and how being valiant is action related. Our testimonies of Jesus Christ need to be valiant in order for us to be saved in the celestial kingdom. That takes action on our part, to be obedient and to make our covenants and keep them. And it takes action on the part of the Savior to redeem us and partner with us so His perfection becomes ours. 

Right after church we came home and made dinner because we had a busy evening planned.

Bryant, our behind the back wall neighbor, invited us to his church to hear him perform in an orchestra he is in. Rob was happy to go, I was far less happy but I went anyway. It was at St Luke’s Methodist church and the sanctuary was beautiful and peace filled. The orchestra turned out to be wonderful and I was pleasantly surprised that I had a very nice time. 

After we got home we picked up Grace and headed over to the Roddy’s. They had a farewell for the boys. 

 Sierra sent this picture of her arm. It is doing amazing! I am so grateful for her miraculous recovery and just keep praying for her. I wish I lived there but since I don’t, and for now can’t, I am very grateful for the power of prayer. 

Elders Quorum Social

Lettie slept over last night and this morning I made pancakes for the girls and I. 

Rob and I played games this afternoon. We played Skull King and Bears and Bees. Surprisingly I won both, more surprisingly we played games. I think that may be the first time we played just the two of us. 

Tonight the Blacks opened their home for a social. It was well attended and everyone enjoyed themselves. Rob enjoyed the jet skis a lot then he manned the grill. We have a lot of people in our ward that I don’t know.  Now that masks are off it’s time to get to know people again!

Beach day

 

Fishermen (Rob) are fishing, kids are swimming, models are posing, lifeguards watching, golf carts cruising, birds are floating on air waves and ocean waves, a pelican catches his lunch, people are playing cards and having picnics, the ice cream truck jingles by, children are laughing and babies are splashing with their mommas close by, three brothers in matching swim trunks climb on the rocks, a gray haired couple hold hands as they stroll on the sand, the waves are tumbling in and out, the sun is shining brightly, and I have my book, my chair and a smile on my face as I enjoy a lazy Friday afternoon.

Endings and beginnings

Hannah had her last class today!! Whoo hoo! We have a college graduate in the house! 

Today Ezra went to his last library story time in Rexburg and they went to their favorite Froyo (for the last time). Ez also saw his ID pediatrician for the last time. Leaving a place is always bitter sweet. 

We are excited for Sawyer to start his new job at the vet office and to see what is next for their cute family!
 

Tonight we went on a date with Kristina and Rod. We went to the Polynesian and had island food then sat on the beach and watched the fireworks! It was a nice evening.

Also today I retook my credential test and passed so now I am qualified to teach in Florida. 

Band camp continues to go well. After camp today Grace went to Katie & Mary’s to swim. She has lots of great friends. 

Tuesday

 

Kenz went to the temple tonight. All the Utah family got to go. On Sunday Jenna and Grandma invited Sarah over for dinner. She ended up volunteering to stay with the girls and she sent me some super cute pictures! It looked like they had so much fun. Some day we want to have an Idiart/Arhets reunion. 

Alec and Kelly’s best friend’s daughter opened her mission call today to Madrid Spain! She leaves in October. Hopefully Ethan will be there by then. Hopefully she will get to go straight there. Not knowing the future is the hardest thing. 

I worked on my wedding gift blanket a lot today while I watched Virgin River on Netflix. 

I’m also finishing up a couple of books. I’m reading Once Upon a River right now and also Quiet. Both are good. 

We just read Ella Minnow Pea for book club, and I read The Southern Reading Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampire, 28 Summers, Reaching for the Savior, Underground Railroad and Unexpected Deliverer recently.  Summer is a delightful time because there is plenty of time for reading. 

Monday Magic

Hannah sent me these darling pictures from her camera. It was fun to think back to our vacation and the good time that we had!

Last night we had a new member/ward council dessert party. We have had a lot of people move in and it was nice to meet some of them. We have some new young women, which is awesome!!

Band camp started today. Last night Katie W was going to stay over at our house, her dad is a cast member and had a free night at the Grand Floridian so her parents were going to go. Then somehow that switched to Katie going with her parents and being allowed to invite a friend. She chose Grace and the girls had a great time.

This evening Wendy and I went to the Magic Kingdom. We loved it. The fireworks show was amazing and we saw Tinkerbell fly!  The crowd went crazy and it was very exciting!

This afternoon we got to talk to our Bubster. He’s doing great.