Learning to Say No

I've delayed writing this thinking I would have some pictures to post to help the stories, but none yet. I forgot my camera at both parites and waiting on others to get me photos. Oh well. I find busyness in life comes in clumps. Two weeks ago I somehow found myself helping out on two parties 12 hours apart. I volunteered my parents backyard for the Relief Society Womens Retreat on Friday night and Saturday morning was a baby shower for my friend Hailey. Lucky for me I do a little cooking, which made it fine. I cooked all day friday the party was from 6-10, the last women left around 12 midnight. I still had to do the salad and cake for the baby shower the next morning at 11 am. After cooking/cleaning until 2, I got up at 6 to decorate the cake and finish the salad. The pictures would help illustrate some of what I accomplished. Both parties were really fun and everyone seemed to enjoy themseleves which makes it all worth while.

Enought complaining. Chris was gone last weekend to the Boy Scout Encampment, now this week I am off to Houston to see my parents. I'm excited to see them and check on dad. I have felt disconnected so far away, it will be nice to see how they are doing. Off to pack, grocery shop for Chris, laundry, random errands, etc, the usual routine before leaving town.

Weekend Getaway

Birthdays are always a good reason to celebrate. Chris' was on Friday and we decided to do a quick getaway, after trying to decide where to go that was close and relatively easy to access we ended up going to San Francisco. After five years of marriage I still had not flown anywhere with Chris, it was about time. We took off 8:30ish on Friday morning and flew to the bay area. We landed at a little airport in Concord and got on the BART and rode into the city. Chris decided we could only take a back pack and the clothes we were wearing, we would shop for something to wear to dinner. Because Chris is slimming down so much we needed to get him so new clothes anyway. We enjoyed a delightful day in San Fran, lunch, shopping, people watching, etc. We met up with some friends, Evan and Carrie, for dinner at a restaurant on Union Square, Chris had wanted to take me to. We had and adventurous meal with a lot unusual foods, and unfortunately the chef had changed and Chris found it to not be as good as he remembered. I'm always up for a fun culinary adventure and we had good company so the evening was very nice. We ended the evening at Ghiradelli Square for yummy sundaes and milkshakes. Can't go wrong with chocolate. We stayed at the St. Francis right on Union Square, with a room on the 26th floor and great views. They treated us to complimentary breakfast buffet and we headed back to Concord around 10:30. The flight home was a little bumpy and hot, I tend to get airsick, so it was a little sketchy coming into Reno. I was glad to be on the ground when we arrived. We had a nice overnight and lots of fun. Happy Birthday Chris.

By the Trolley Station

At Ghiradelli Square

In the RV6(airplane) on the way home

In his new "birthday"suit

We had originally planned to go away for the whole weekend, but were called upon to speak in church on behalf of my parents. After 7 years and 9 months serving as bishop my dad was released yesterday. It was a bittersweet experience for the whole family. A lot has happened in that time, many blessings as a result of his service. Because they are in Houston, the stake presidency asked if we would be willing to share their testimonies if they wrote them down. We were more than willing, hey most of the battle of giving a talk is writing it, just having to give it should have been easy. I was wrong. What an emotional experience. It was so hard to look out at the congregation and see all those people that love and support our family. It was a lot of pressure to deliever their heartfelt testimonies and do them justice. To know how much they wanted to be there made it more difficult. It was a great opportunity and we are so grateful for it. Dad, what are you going to do with yourself now? We love them and miss them and are so thankful for the tender mercies shown us. Thanks for the prayers and support, we know that is why he is doing so well.

Sigh of Relief

I'm happy to post that seminary is done for the school year. It is such a relief to have some time off. I have enjoyed getting to know the youth a little better. Hopefully I have shared a little something spiritual with them that they will remember. I hope they know that I have a testimony. Graduation is on sunday, then I will be officially done with this school year. It has been a learning experience and I am grateful for that.

Have a great weekend!