Leavin' on a Jet Plane

December 1. Laurie and Pam are leaving for Costa Rica where we will serve in the temple as counselor to the president and assistant matron, in Spanish that would be ayudante a la directora de las obreras del templo. That sounds pretty impressive. We're getting pretty excited and Pam is nervous because her Spanish is not great But it should be a little better than it was when we went to Spain. We have just finished a week of training in the Provo Temple along with several other couples who are leaving to serve in temples all over the world. We feel pretty lucky that we will be spending 2 winters in a warm country instead of cold, dark, Finland where several of the people were going. But they were just as excited about their assignment in Finland as we are about ours in Costa Rica. Right now we are busy getting the house ready so we can leave it with Austin and room mates by packing away some of our personal stuff, and getting our things packed to take with us. We are trying to do it like all missionaries and put it all into 2-50# suitcases and a carry on. I am taking a huge purse! We will keep you posted as to our progress on getting ready and our adventures in Costa Rica.

Reflections on my Childhood

These are pictures of an old building in American Fork that looks practically exactly like the Raymond Elementary School that I attended when I was a child. It was three stories tall and red brick, and was torn down years ago, but I saw this and wanted to share with all of you.

In the school in Raymond, there was a big attic that my mom used to teach music in. We would have to march up the stairs to the music room for our singing class. The roof on this building doesn't seem to be pitched as high, so I don't know if it has an attic, but the windows and the front entrance, and general size, shape, and construction are very similar.

Life at Mom and Dad's house

I moved in with Mom and Dad. It was a good move, will save me money, and the frusutration of living with filthy roommates. It won't be for a terribly long time I don't think. But I DO think my being the resident tech support is my room and board fee.

Mom and Dad asked me to put these pictures on the blog. Today, the embarked on the Springtime adventure that is "Square-Foot Gardening". I know it's something that has attracted the two oldest offspring of this clan. Now it's claimed Mom and Dad. My guess is it will continue outward (from the space it started at Becky and Steve) down the line to Nancy and eventually to Angela and even me.

Here is the proof. Dad even got a sunburn from being outside so long working on it.

Also, right about the time they finished, Dad wanted to get a picture of Mt. Timpanogos. It's a pretty sight, almost any time of year, but especially so when the seasons are changing, and there is a contrast of green growth and white white snowcaps.

He insists the sky was even bluer just a minute before we could get the camera. I think it turned out pretty well even with the lost minute.

Hidden Treasure

So I am cleaning out a closet full of old college papers.  And I am thinking, "man, I hate de-junking."  Some people like it and they feel good.  Not me--it hurts.  (In fact, I stopped mid-closet to vent on my blog, here).  And immediately after I left the computer back to the closet to resume digging, sorting, deciding and de-junking I came across this:

I was about to toss a stack of completely unrelated old college pamphlets from the late 1990's and turned it over as it was going into the can.  This was on the bottom.  It is dated Sunday, September 8th, 1963.

(Don't worry; I put it in the save pile!)

I don't know why but I started balling when I saw it. 
I think this guy turned out to be a pretty decent missionary, wouldn't you say?
Have any of you seen this before and does dad have a copy on display?  He should keep on his his office at the MTC.

Happy Birthday Ben!

We want to wish a VERY happy birthday to Ben from all the Utah Craigs!

May all your birthday dreams come true!

Pam's on Facebook!

Pig's fly, and Mom's on Facebook. 

Please be her friend.

The Girls Go Greek

I am reposting this here. . .forgive me if you already saw it on Becky's Blog.  I just really love their crazy results!  We had so much fun with this :) Tell me which one is your favorite!

So Sunday afternoon Luna and StarGirl reminded me they had a "big project" due the next morning all about the Greek Gods.  It was a big project, but they had a plan, and their teacher had told them they could work together as a team to make things simpler.  They had talked about making a movie with their friends or videoing a commercial, but in the end they chose to each dress up like six of the gods (that would be 12 total) and make a powerpoint with some picniked up photos.  They wanted to know if I would be their photographer.

I looked at the clock.  It was a little after one and we had dinner at Grandma's at 5:00.  That left four hours.  So I felt that with those time constraints a little lecture was warranted.  It went something like this:  Yes, I will take your pictures.  But, you should know, that creativity is much like a gas. . . it will take up as much space as you give it.  And you guys have a limited time this afternoon.  Since you tend to get really caught up in the creative process on picnik, you'll really have to pace yourself.  So what I'm saying in a nutshell is don't go overboard.

Three hours later I was done taking their pictures.
Ummmmmm. . . sounds like mom could use a lecture.

 

 

 

   

 

 

But aren't the results fantastic?