Quayd's First Letter from CA!

Here is Quayd's first letter from California!

Hey, Mom!  It was good!  Oh, don’t worry.  I got a haircut today, so, it’s not long anymore! I’m excited to tell you about my week so far.  

So, Monday was pretty sad.  Had to say good-bye to my good friends Elder Duncan and Lorenzen along with Iello, White, Heath, Taylor, then I had to say good-bye to Brother Van Bloom and Tittle.  Funny.  I didn’t cry as much saying good bye to my district, but, Brother Tittle - I cried my eyes out 3 times!  It was hard!  Then, we went to bed. Had a little party with the other district – Anderson, Stevenson, Morgan and Kinike and them, along with Johnson.  

Anyway, then I had to say good bye to them as well and then it was our turn.  We woke up 3:30  in the morning.

The companionship between me and Elder Hill is really good.  I was surprised by our other companions in our room… argument after argument.  It was crazy how many times those two argued.  I felt bad for the district leader and his companion… trying to take his job.  Amen to elder so and so’s priesthood!  I was actually glad that those two were separating.

Anyway, got on a train for the first time or in a long time.  I can’t remember if I ever rode one.  Then, we headed into the airport.  Remember what I said about those two companions?  Well, the one causing the problem left his companion in the airport, so he was stuck with us, which was okay.  We helped calm him down, then I talked to you.

I was so happy to hear from you and the girls and sad that I didn’t get the chance to talk to dad, but that’s okay. I’ll talk to him this Christmas.  Anyhow, I got on the plane and took a video of it leaving the airport and into the air.  Man!  Memories from my past - I totally forgot about the ear implosion thing going higher into the atmosphere! I definitely remember it hurting me because of my ear infection!  Our flight was from Salt Lake to Ontario, California.  It took about an hour twenty minutes or so.  

Anyway, we got off the plane, shook the hands of awesome elders and met with my mission president, President Dixon and his wife, a fun couple, I’ll tell you that!  I asked what I could do to help and, eventually, I ended up riding with them along with my companion, Elder Hill.  I saw a big car accident.  The traffic in California is so different!  There’s loud honking almost every single second.  It’s crazy but pretty cool!  Holy crap!  The mission home is luxurious!  Big and beautiful… my type of home, I’ll tell ya!

We rested, then we went to the members’ home, slept there and the next morning, we went to the church to meet our new companions.  I said goodbye to Elder Hill.  Surprising, I didn’t cry.  He kinda did.  Then, I met Elder Villegas.  He is Filipino.  He speaks Tagalog.  It’s a fun language!  At first, I was surprised that I had an Asian for a companion.  I wouldn’t trade companions!  He is awesome!  He is patient with me.  It’s been a great experience!

First day there, I got a bike to borrow and was off to work.  I met this family and taught them.  Then we went to Taco Bell and met a kid named Logan.  He’s going on a mission soon.   He’s a pretty funny boy.  You know, I don’t know how Taco Bell is going to survive without him.  After that, we biked around just getting use to the area and then we met another family and taught them about the gospel.  Surprisingly, we got the husband to pray for the first time.  I don’t know if it’s because I got here and shared a little experience from my life that was related for him.  All I can tell you is I’m glad to have the bad examples, so I can teach them the consequences.  I don’t know about the baptism thing yet, but, prayer is a start.  

Anyway, we came back home, studied and went to bed.

Next day, regular routine and it was awesome, but this time we met a lot of Filipinos and they spoke Tagalog... so, I had no idea what they were saying.  I said a couple things in English and my companion translated it to Tito Samson… great lesson, by the way, because he’s getting baptized on the 17th of next month and this was his first lesson! I don’t know if it’s just luck or seeing a big picture and working on the little parts, but I haven’t complained or whined or anything… well…maybe my acne and scar situation.  

Funny…first thing Elder Villegas asked was " What happened to your face?"   I didn’t like that but I explained it to him.  His response was " all I use is water!" Surprising ! haha   

Anyway,  then I had dinner with Brother Frisbee.  Awesome guy.  We went to a Mexican restaurant and I had never tried anything that Mexican, so, it was hard learning how to eat Mexicano. haha  We talked and Brother Frisbee shared what he did for a job – aerospace.  Pretty cool.  He said something that struck me …  “You have to have the big picture, then, you can work the little things.”  In my perspective, that means you have to have the gospel before you can teach people about the gospel.  You have to know where you are going and what your goal is before you can help others reach their goal.  I think that’s when i realized that I need to know more of these things for myself.  So, I’ve read more of the Book of Mormon, studied and have pondered it’s teachings and I’m glad I did!  It’s making more sense and I can teach it!  So far, I haven’t had the door slammed in my face and I’ve met some awesome people and wonderful friends who are striving to come to Jesus Christ. It’s only my fifth day and im loving every second of it!

Anyway, how’s life?  How are the girls?  What’s Dad been up to?  How’s Liza and Buddy and Aylabelle?  

Anyway,  I miss you.  I love you so much.  Thank you for being the most awesomest parents ever!  It means a lot.  I’m sorry for the crap I’ve pulled in the past.  Looking back, I don’t know where I’d be without you guys.  Love you so much. 

Elder Corbridge

I still have two daughters at home...

The girls have been quite patient as all of the focus has been on Quayd this past four months.  Grace is about to begin her senior year and ZJ is about to start her sophomore year... and it's time to start focusing on their excitement too!

ZJ is full swing into the football season as a team manager.  She's at the practices, keeping track of equipment, serving waters to the boys and keeping the stats on the box.  It's an interesting choice of school activities, but it's keeping her involved.  I don't love it, but I love that she's having fun and involved.  For the most part, she says that there is only one boy who is rude and sadly, we know his family.  That's the worst part!  I think that if he we not a friend's son, I'd be telling him to get his nose out of the air!  She's also working lots of hours at her new job.  In between, she's at the mall or with friends or in the hot tub.  She's a busy and happy girl!

Grace is working, not as many hours, because she's involved already with Bella.  She's at a retreat right now and getting ready to start school next week.  It's crazy how busy these girls are!  Grace has a friend, who graduated last year, and they spend every spare moment together.  I can't believe she's at this point in life already!!!

For our YW activity last week, we took a tour of the BlueBird Chocolate Factory.  The other YW counselor dips chocolates there.  It was fun and tasty!  We learned a lot!  Doug's parents' wedding reception was at the Bluebird in the 1950s.  The Restaurant and Chocolate Company were started in 1914, but separately sold after the original owners died, in the 1960s.  Today, it's ironic, but the BlueBird Restaurant sells chocolates from another company.  The Chocolate Factory remains and we learned it's one of eleven chocolate companies remaining in the US that actually does hand dipped chocolates and hand wrapped packaging and has not become automated.  It was so fun.  When we walked into one room where the chocolate is cooled, Grace immediately said, "Look Mom!  It's like on I Love Lucy!"  And it was!  A fun day and lots of tasty samples!

Could Ann be any cuter!  She's a riot!  I think that she's the cherry on top of my YW calling!

I love Lucy!

Ann wants me to come and work with her through the holidays.  All the chocolate you can eat... just what I need... said me NEVER!

Ann brings me chocolates often and last night, she surprised me with some freshly made chocolate covered cherries that were huuuuuuge!  Is this not beautiful!!  Even after being in my purse, they are still pretty! 

In other news, I'm so ready to decorate for fall, I could scream!  The cool mornings and evening are divine!  I'm ready for pumpkin everything!  Once the girls go back to school, I'm at it! (that sounds so strange... from the babes to the kids to the girls.  Hmmmm....)

I've found a fun chair for my bedroom that looks more like my style than the one I had.  I've gotten into buying and selling a few things online.  Doug says that I can buy whatever I want to as long as something goes to make room for it.  That makes sense. So, I've been playing with the same little bit of money, buying something, selling something else, buying something in it's place.  It's actually kind of a fun "game".  I have a friend who makes good money at it.  I have no intent of turning it into a business, but if I see something I would love to have, it's nice to look around and say, "What's going so that it can come!?"

If I don't hit publish, it will be another day.  The girls are gone.  Doug is gone. I've got things I can be doing!  Life is good!

mission, mission, mission

Last Friday, I mailed a "Greenie Package" to Quayd with all things Green!  It was supposed to arrive on Monday and be there waiting for him in CA when he got there.  I won't know about his reaction until we hear from him next week.  Somewhere along the line, I heard that his P-day is Monday.  I will be loving Mondays for the duration!

On Wednesday, I received these photos of Elder Corbridge and his new companion!  I can't read his name, but they both look happy, so I'm happy!  And Sister Dixon wrote a note letting us know that P-Day is Monday, so we will hear from him then, but he's safe, rested and well prepared!  HAPPINESS!

Quayd is 6'1", so President Dixon is VERY tall!  And Sister Dixon is very petite!

And I emailed back and forth with Sister Dixon about Quayd's glasses.  When he got his mission call, included in the packet was a caution about bringing contact lenses on their mission.  He has never complained about leaving home for two years, about wearing a shirt and tie every day for two years, about not watching tv or movies or listening to music for two years. The ONLY thing that he has complained about was having to wear glasses. He HATES glasses.  We went and bought him new ones.  Any glasses he wanted.  He got them and HATED them.  It's been a battle.  Sister Dixon said, "Send him contacts!  It will be a great surprise!"  They are on their way!  He will be thrilled!  I think I'm as happy as he will be about them!

I'm going to start a blog for Quayd's mission which is why I've not been blogging here.  It's taking some time to get it caught up, but I'll open it up in a few days to the public.

I've had this entry sitting here since Wednesday night and not hit publish.  School begins in two weeks and summer is winding down.  Life will probably not slow down then... the YSA picks back up, the girls have so many activities.  I'm just, as Doug says, "Doing the best I can."

Life is good!  So is being a missionary mom!

Elder C has arrived in CA!

What a wonderful day!  It was so exciting to sit by the phone and watch the clock yesterday morning, in hopes that Elder Corbridge would call!  And he did!  His plane was supposed to leave at 8:55.  He'd been up since 3AM packing then taking a bus to the SLC Airport from the MTC in Provo.    He had purchased a phone card and called from a payphone in the airport, where we were able to talk for about fifteen minutes before he boarded the plane.  

I'd been so concerned about the Delta flights because of all the computer problems the day before.  Delta's website said that only 357 flights would be cancelled.  I was praying that Quayd's was not one of them and thankfully, as I updated their webpage and received their emails, the flight was only twenty minutes late leaving and landed on time!  HAPPINESS!  When I received the email that the flight had landed, I was one happy mamma!

The missionaries were picked up and delivered to the Mission Home for lunch, trained all afternoon, had dinner and also visited the Redlands Temple with President and Sister Dixon.  There were 29 new missionaries arriving and this was the Dixon's first arrival since they only began serving as Mission President and wife on July 1.  They have been anticipating this big day as much as we have!

There was, what looked to be, a fantastic meal served, based on the photos I received late last night.  The photo taken at the temple was awesome.  Quayd was in the back behind others in the airport arrival photo and all I could see was the top of his head. I knew it was the top of his head because every other face was in full view.  I wondered if he was moving when it was taken.  But, the temple photo shows our boy!  He's on the let side of the back row, smiling his big grin! So happy!

When this photo arrived, I was certain that they were just horsing around because there are smiles on a few of the nodding faces.  Liza said, "Maybe missionaries sleep with a smile?"  I'm not sure but I think that Liza is almost as happy as Doug and I are to see Quayd being a missionary!  Anyway, from the photos, the mission home is lovely.  The food looked great.  President and Sister Dixon obviously are thrilled to be there and to welcome this awesome group of Elders.

Our phone visit was short and sweet, but Quayd shared some of the highlights of the MTC.  When I asked if he was afraid, he said, "Not really."  When I told him how happy were are for him and how pleased we are, he said, "Mom, I still have so much to learn."  He's humble.  This is good.  I'd much rather hear that than him being cocky that he's "got this".  He is growing already and it's a beautiful thing.

He asked to speak to the girls for just a second.  Literally, they said hello and I love you.   When we hung up, the girls and I just had a group hug and cried together.  It was happy tears but the girls admit to missing him and the fact that he asked to talk to them, I know that he's missing them.  They all said that they wouldn't miss each other because they won't be arguing over the bathroom any more.  BUT.  I teased and warned them that the bathroom would be the last thing that they were concerned about when he left.  It's going to be interesting to watch their love grow because we all know that absence makes the heart grow fonder.  Deep sigh!

The girls and I are doing some deep cleaning.  They are doing their end of summer dejunking and I just did a little in my own too. It's feeling more like fall every day.  Still very warm in the afternoons, but for the most part, we have a nice breeze blowing through the house morning and night and it's just lovely.  Doug and I walked around the block tonight and couldn't believe how lovely it was! I love this time of the year and fall is my very favorite color!

Life is good!  So is Quayd!

The BIG day!

From what I understand, Quayd is arriving at the airport right this moment.  Today, he is flying to California!  We are so excited for him.  It's killing me to not be at the airport. I've had several friends say, "Why don't you just go down and give him a hug before he leaves?"  But, I feel that it would be wrong for me to encourage him so strongly to keep all of the mission rules when I can't keep one myself.  So, I'll sit here and hope and pray that he calls from the airport.  That is allowed.  And then, he won't be able to call again until Christmas Day.  (If you thought I got excited about Christmas before, just wait until this year!)

I'm just praying that he has a safe and non-eventful flight.  With all of the drama and the airlines, I'm praying that he doesn't just sit at the airport today for hours.  Especially if I could have gone to see him and passed the time together.  We heard of a boy who is actually somehow related to Buddy, serving in the same mission as Quayd, who arrived in his first area, as he stepped off the local bus, with everything he owned in two pieces of luggage.  The boy turned around, after being greeted by his new companion, and someone had walked away with both of his pieces of luggage.  EVERYTHING he owned, stolen on the first day of his mission.  I'm praying more this morning that Quayd's things arrive safely than anything.  He's traveling with 28 other missionaries to California, so I'm sure that they will all arrive safely... it's just their belongings.  After all, these are still just 18 year old boys! 

But, Quayd is so excited!  He send a very short email yesterday letting me know how much money he needed today.  I got the money request and two sentences, "I sure love you.  Gotta go!"  He's pretty fired up!  We should get an email from him in the next day or so, letting us know that he arrived and his mission president will send us a photo of him with he and his wife tonight or tomorrow.  Lots of prayers are being said for Elder Corbridge!

In other news...

I've not spent a lot of time online this week.  I hit my head, getting into Denise's car twelve days ago and have had a pinched nerve in my neck.  I've had two massages and lots of ibuprofen.  I can barely turn my neck either direction and looking down is the worst.   I hit my head pretty hard... hard enough to see stars and get light-headed, so it may take a bit to get back into place. 

Our beautiful valley has been smoke-filled with forest fires on all sides of us this past two weeks.  It's made for some pretty incredible sunsets, but lots of burning eyes and allergies for so many people.  It's hard at this time of the year because of the fires.  And frightening for those living near the mountains.  I was just reviewing old scrapbooks and have photos of the mountain just next to our home burning the year that Quayd was a baby.  It's spectacular to watch but devastating. 

Liza and Buddy were in town this past weekend for his great-grandmother's 100th birthday.  They stopped by long enough to pick up a cot and spent exactly 12 minutes with us.  It was long enough for a potty break and Gramp to push Aylabelle on her swing for two minutes.  That was hard but we had so much going on all weekend that it all worked out fine.  It was the weekend of our ward Youth Conference and we had a lot going on anyway.

 
I was not able to float the river which made me very sad because it's one of the few things I can do where my foot does not matter!  The youth began their weekend of activities with a service project.  They cleaned up the yard of a widow in our ward.  Grace was pretty discreet with what she said but I heard later from one of the other leaders that this older woman just barked at Grace and picked on her to the point that the leader told me she would have left herself, if she'd have been Grace. 

Apparently the lady barked at her for not having clippers, for not knowing what she was doing, for "obviously never working in a garden before" and finally telling her "You're just useless, why don't you just go sit on the patio and watch."  Grace told me that part and said that she'd gone to sit on the patio, wanting to cry.  She said that a scripture came into her head, "When you are in the service of your fellowman, you are in the service of your God." She said that she was able to focus on the scripture and sing a hymn in her mind instead of crying. 

On Sunday, the woman wrote a group thank you for the youth that said, "Thank you to those of you who knew how to work."  Grace just looked at me, the leader looked at me and we all started laughing.  Who does that?!?!!?  I was just proud of Grace for remaining respectful and not letting it get to her.  She said, "Well, she just lost her husband.  Maybe she was just cranky that day."  Maybe I should tell the widow woman that she needs to take off her cranky pants and put on her gratitude panties next time someone comes to help you!  I won't, but I wanted to! 

Kelly has been touching base almost daily as she has traveled with a friend to Canada.  She called and said that she's there, then asked me to let her know if anything happens while she's gone.  That was odd.  But, she's trying to touch base, I guess?  Who knows.  It was unusual, but I'm happy that she seems to be doing well right now.

Carol and I took a little drive yesterday to Pepperidge Farms.  Here's what $10.32 buys at the Pepperidge store.  Yagottaluvit.

Depending on the girls work schedules, we may ride down to St. George with Denise next week for a couple of days.  She's not sure if she's going to see her baby in Vegas or not, but if she drives, she's asked me to keep her company.

This week, I'm nursing my neck and preparing for my Young Womens Lesson.  I've also been asked to be in charge of the food for the Stake YSA luncheon in September.  The food will be catered, so it's kind of a no-brainer... just be there to see that the committee serves it on time.  There is a decorating committee, so the food part will not be a huge task.  I was so excited to be involved!  We miss the constant involvement with the YSA since Doug's been called to serve on the High Council.  It's so different... much less involvement for the wives, that's for sure.  More for him, less for me.  Sadness.  I walk into that building and just feel at home with them all!!

And two more shots of the western sun shining on the eastern mountains.  What a gift to live in this beautiful place!

I have a list of fall projects that I'm looking forward to.  Painting, crafting, organizing.  Fall is definitely in the air.  The morning air is crisper already.  It's my favorite time of the year!  Life is good! 

QUAYD'S ON THE PHONE!!!!!!!!

Letter #2... well, kind of...

Yesterday morning, I was almost in tears when noon came and went and I'd not heard from Quayd yet.  But, at about 3, he started typing away.  We did a little question and answer emailing for 45 minutes, then he left and returned and we did it again for another hour.  It was lovely because I have so many questions!  So, he didn't write a real letter this week, just our conversation.  I cut and pasted it all together into one letter.  Obviously, I leave out the family comments and personal issues, but here's a lot of his thoughts.  You can tell that he was answering some of our questions.  Thankfully, Doug was able to be home later in the day, so he was able to participate too!  The wait for that few extra hours was definitely worth it!  Quayd leaves for California on Tuesday!  I just sent his last care package to the MTC this morning.  He'll be receiving his first, a "Greenie" package when he arrives in California on Tuesday.  

Life is awesome! There’s been times where I don’t think I can do it and it’s frustrating to think that.  The adversary works hard!!!!! I think it’s because I don’t know how to ask inspired questions.

Life at the mtc… well, so far, it’s been weird thinking that I only have four more days left and leaving my brothers in the district. Monday was a horrible day.  Our older brothers, Elder Fata, Richins, Mullins and Child, along with Forth have left the MTC and are on their way to serve their mission in Australia.  Forth gave me a tiny wooden elephant.  It was a sad.  But, with sadness comes happiness.  I’m starting to be really good friends with our other district,  like Anderson, Kineski, Humpreys, Nelson and Johnson.  

Anderson’s very funny and loves acting.  In the hallways, we sing Les Miserables and I’ve taught them how to throat sing.

So, now there is just a loud sacrifice theme going on in the halls and the newcomers faces are precious.  My companion is awesome.  At times, though, he can get a little out of hand, like constantly telling me what to do.  I hope my trainer isn’t like that!  Haha.  I love my teachers, Brother Van Bloom and Tittle.  Tittle, however, I might not see again.  He’s in some lake.  

The MTC is great.  Yeah, in class, we do alot of role plays and I kinda suck at them.  I think the best roll play was being ___.  It brought tears into my eyes.  I almost cried playing him as an investigator.  I hope he finds his way back. 

The best thing I’ve learned… man, its hard to tell really.  During TRC, I try so hard to pay attention to the investigator and be kind to everyone during our discussion.  I feel like listening is key.  My companion is not a good listener,  however, he bears his testimony on everything.  But, I think listening and not teaching lessons, but people are important.  I’ve learned more about prayer and how important it is.

Yeah, I’m trying.  It’s hard though and frustrating, but, you’ve got to love him.  I’m going to miss Brother Tittle big time.  He is definitely a great teacher.

I can’t believe there are four more days left.  It’s hard to believe.  I don’t know if I shared before but when I first met my family, I had seen them before.  Every single one of them!  It’s weird to think that, but, it’s so true.  And I have met my teachers before.  I don’t know where, but I have met them.  Now, we are literally committing to go to each other’s weddings and family gatherings.  That’s how close we are.

Almost everyone has kissed a girl except for two boys  -  that’s Elder Poulter from Blackfoot, Idaho and Corbridge or myself.  Funny.  I told him my reason for not kissing and that’s exactly what he did, except it was $1000! Yikes!  That’s a lot!  And the boys in my district constantly start whining about their girls and writing them.  

Anyway, the food is getting a little better and I am getting a little fatter.  Yikes!  I need to work out.  Ball keeps me in shape though.  haha 

Oh, interesting… almost everyone going Redlands has contacts, so, I’m not happy that they disobeyed, even though it was a word of precaution.  I’ve had a little speech here and there, which is not really fun, but, hey, that’s the MTC.

Sorry, I’m slow at typing.  Hangers! Haha! Yeah, when i got to the MTC, I had no hangers, so, I literally hung them on the door knob or the railing in my closet.   haha But, Forth left some.  So, I have some now.

Sorry I haven’t written a letter, I’ve just been so busy.  I hope I can continue to be strong because it is hard but I know there are blessings that come with it. Oh, I don’t talk much in class, but the other day, we were talking about faith and obedience and I had a prompting to share a little story about Elder Lawrence Corbridge and his experience. I think they liked that.  

Well, I love you too I miss you and Dad and somehow, I kinda miss the girls but just a little. haha I love you guys.  I’ll be writing you soon.  I love you.  I miss you so much!  I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!

Elder Corbridge.

And he did write Doug privately, which was so sweet. My favorite part was the beginning, "Dear Father".  Also, the story about Lawrence Corbridge is a story about Doug's grandfather who served his mission in England and the miracle he experienced.  Quayd's doing well.  We are so happy for him.  He's learning life lessons, figuring things out on his own.  It's a beautiful thing to witness.

Life is good!

catching up

It's been a week of projects and then when I'm done each day, I think, I haven't done anything so there's nothing to blog about.

Ten years ago, before I quit scrapbooking and teaching the classes, I had taken out some of my favorite layouts and used them for teaching journaling.  I put them into two separate albums so that I didn't have to travel with 38 of them... literally, not Doug's 38.  All thse years later, it's about time that I reorganizine my albums.  All thirty-eight of them.  And so, that's what's I've been working on all week long.  My dining room table has had stacks of layouts and papers and albums.  I'm down to the last ten and it's been a process.  I'm so over this project!  I just want to be done!  But, it's been so much fun to revisit my entire 40 years together with Doug.

Seriously, I've looked through every photo we own and read so many journaled pages.  What a wonderful life I have been blessed with!  It's been a gift, although a tedious project, to enjoy so many wonderful memories all over again!

In other news, I've been preparing for my YW lesson next week.  Youth Conference is this weekend and I have a few things to do with it.  Doug's been working hard and lots of hours.  It's been kind of unnerving.  He's working using a chemical that says toxic and causes organ, nerve and all sorts of other damage if exposed to for long periods.  A month is a long period in my mind.  I've been pretty concerned about that.  The man lives his life to be healthy and then has to work in this nasty stuff.  I no likee that!

This week's letter from Quayd wasn't a letter.  It was more like a text conversation.  Lots of one sentence emails back and forth.  We both had lots of questions and answers for each other.  He's flying to California on Tuesday morning.  My heart!  I can't believe it's four days away.  He's very excited.  He loves the MTC and his district.  He loves his teachers.  He loves the experiences.  He said that he hasn't lost anything yet, but he did break a hanger.  That made me laugh out loud because Quayd can't touch a hanger without breaking it.  I buy a couple of packs of hangers every month because of Quayd!  I asked him if the MTC has been better or worse than he expected.  We'd told him that it's like Boot Camp, hard work, serious stuff, in hopes that any anticipation he had would be better than what we'd prepared him for.  His answer was "A little of both.  It's been awesome and Yes, I'm soooo excited for California!"

I've been saying to Doug, "One more week til August and it always cools off on the first of August."  True to form, this morning, it was cool.  I even turned off the fan.  We love to sleep with the canyon breeze at night and I only turn the AC on in the afternoon.  Last week, it was hot!  Hot enough to make me turn it on most of the days.  This week, it's not been on at all.  And it's plenty cool inside.  It was my happy moment when I opened my mail this morning and received an email from Bath and Body Works for their new FALL scents!  It doesn't take much to excite me, I know.

It's Bunco night!  I'm so happy!  New fall scents, letters from Quayd and Bunco!  Thursday has been a good day so far!

paper chain excitement!

When Liza and Buddy came up for Quayd's graduation, they had barely unloaded the car and told us that Aylabelle had something for us.  Aylabelle handed us a paper chain.  Her last one was a count-down for Disneyland.  And they did another for "how many days until Grammie comes".  This one, I assumed was "Days till Uncle Quayd is a missionary."  BUT.  They told me that I could take off one link every Sunday.  And that was our clue!  HAPPINESS!!!

Aylabelle's latest catchphrase is "When I was a little girl".  It is the sweetest thing in the world to hear her say it.  It's what she uses for her past tense.  It could be something that happened this morning, but she will tell it as "When I was a little girl..."  Oh, I adore this little girl! And now.... She won't be the only little girl for long!   Well, the only little baby...

 Aylabelle is going to be a big sister in January!

This was her silly face with grass in her hair.  The kids thought it was pretty funny!

She cracks us all up because she keeps telling us that she has a baby in her tummy.  Mommy has a baby boy in her tummy and Aylabelle has a baby girl in her tummy!  Which one will it be?!?!  We don't know yet, but we are so excited for them all!

With all of the Quayd excitement, I wanted to wait to share.  I think that by now, Liza has told everyone that she needs to and it's time for me to share the news too!  HAPPINESS!  Baby B is on it's way!

Life is good!!!

other good stuff...

It really has been a blur of events and happenings.  I've not written about the reunion yet, which was absolutely awesome!  One week later...The Corbridge Reunion is always awesome and seriously, each year, it seems to get better.  Although we seemed to be lower in numbers this year, we had a great time!

I was greeted by most everyone with, "How are you doing?  Are you hanging in there?" since most of us connect on some form of social media. Everyone knew that Quayd had just entered the MTC and that he is our first. I was still quite on the edge with my tears, but I tried to just cowboy up and express my gratitude for his choice to be there! Because of Quayd entering the MTC and my shopping non-stop for cabin decor on our way up, I opted to have nothing to do with breakfast, our family's assignment, this year.  There was more than enough hands in the kitchen preparing, so I came back to the cabin and washed dishes while Doug's sister, Anne dried and we visited.

The Friday night hayride was fabulous, no surprise.  This year's theme was movies.  We were greeted by Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest (two cousins) who were the hosts of the greatest movies of all times Academy Awards.  Interrupting them were two of the characters from Lord of the Rings, "Gandolf and ???" because I'm not a LotR fan.  They were insisting that their movie was the best.  However, we had some fun traveling across the ranch and being entertained ...

Mitch is always a main character in the hayride and, honestly, everyone just can't wait to see who he'll be this year!  He was a great Simon!  Some people are just born with natural talent to entertain and Mitch is one of them!  He shared stories at breakfast that had us just rolling!

Our first stop was at the barn where we got to experience a live version of "Singing in the Rain" .  So cute!  And they were really light on their feet!

 

As we drove down to the river, we stopped on the bridge.  Everyone only had to look to the west and before the Titanic music began, we knew what movie we were going to see a "Clip" from.  This "Jack" wasn't nearly as quiet about how cold the water was.  He flat out asked Rose if she didn't have a little more room on that door for him!  We were laughing so hard!

This would have been Quayd's favorite.  The Indiana Jones music started and he came running down the hill with the giant gold ball rolling behind him.  The ball wasn't as co-operative as it should have been, which brought more laughs!

Our next stop was for a scene from Lord of the Rings.  We had a little commotion at our trailer and I couldn't get close enough to get a shot or even hear it.  I felt bad not to catch this part of the show but then again, I'm not into that genre.  Seriously, though, laughs could be heard from whatever was happening with Gandolf and his sidekick with the very large "ring".  (This shot was taken at the beginning near the barn.  My bad.)

 

Finally, for the last stop, a scene familiar to all (Even me since I finally watched the Sound of Music for the first time), Julie Andrews came running over the hill from far, far away singing, "The Hills are Alive..." After quite a jaunt, she was greeted by her little children and performed, "Doe a Deer..."  So cute!  

 Of course, more interruptions from our Lord of the Rings stars, until the votes were in and they ended up in the river on the way back.  Sound of Music seemed to have the largest applause.  What a fun night.  I'm missing out on many details because were all visiting and enjoying being together on the trailers, as well as the hayride!

One other surprise along the way was this huge, huge turkey vulture, just sitting out there watching us, as though we were invading his territory.  We were!  What a sunset!  What a sight!

 On Saturday morning, following Doug's brother and sister-in-law's incredible Breakfast Burritos for 150 people, we enjoyed the first annual Corbridge Reunion Dog Show, hosted by one of my nephews.  He did a great job organizing and emceeing the program.  Even Zulu got involved.  Here's Zeej having Zulu show us his one trick, "Eat!"

However, he was no quitter.  He found the hidden treats, and then even did the obstacle course in less than 40 seconds!

 But, most of the time, the reunion is about catching up with each other on families and news.  There's always much talk of missionaries, the gospel and wonderful uplifting experiences.  It is amazing to me that this has been going on for 60 years now.

We had a wonderful lunch and then there was time playing in the river, horses, games and activities. It's always well organized and well attended.  We had our family council about the cabin, after cousins started to head home.  Most have at least a four hour drive to get to their homes. 

After everyone had left, and only a few remained, we enjoyed the downtime with Alan and Jill, and my favorite nephew Jake, who stayed over night with us.  Next door, more of the extended cousin family stayed.  Later in the evening, they wandered over to see the renovated cabin and we all ended up sitting in the cabin until almost eleven just visiting.  I have to admit, that was my favorite part of the entire reunion, spending time with two of my favorites since the day we met!

On Sunday morning, we usually have a little Sabbath lesson and then relax and enjoy our time together with Alan's family before loading up to come home.  It was so hot all weekend in the day and so cool at night!  There was literally frost on the ground in the mornings!  We drove straight home and just relaxed for the rest of the night.  Carol and I hadn't seen each other for two weeks, so she came over and we sat and caught up in the hottub while Doug came in and out, delivering cold water bottles and a few laughs.

Leaving Quayd at the MTC was hard.  Being at the ranch was a great bandaid.  Being with family was a wonderful ointment.  It was therapeutic time.  I'd really not wanted to stay for the reunion this year.  I LOVE the reunion and never ever want to miss it, but this year, I just didn't want to have to keep saying, "I'm great!" when I wasn't!  However, the more I said it, the better I felt.  I still teared up a few times.  I still thought of Quayd every other thought.  One time, I literally called, "Quayd, here!" to come and eat an extra Breakfast burrito, before I realized that Quayd wasn't there.  But, it was so great to be surrounded by the most amazing and incredible people I know, to hear their stories and experiences and to just be uplifted by their love and support.  Score for the Corbridge Reunion, another great success.  Life is so good!  I am so blessed!