Mission Memories

About two weeks ago we had the chance to have a FHE with a family that Graydon had taught and baptized while on his mission. He had a great time reminiscing and seeing how they had changed and what they were doing now.

Dinosaur Park

Monday, Aug 16, we went to the dinosaur park with Cindy and her girls. It was so nice to spend time with them and the kids had a great time. Thanks Cindy for inviting us.

County Fair

Yesterday we went to the county fair. It was opening day and they offered ride wristbands for a lower price. The kids had a lot of fun. Emily was excited to be able to ride the larger rides by herself. Laurie only liked one ride...the boats (and she only rode those after a lot of convincing). She refused to ride the others. we did get her on the motorcycles, but she soon decided that she didn't like it. Graydon was a good sport to accompany Josh on the larger rides. Then they all had fun on the bouncy toys.

We also went to the petting zoo, rode the ponies, and watched a tiger show. It was a fun day.

I want them back in school!

So yesterday was the kids' first day off track until the first week of september. At first I was excited because then I would get to sleep in a little, but the excitement wore off when I had to grocery shopping with all of them. While at Macey's I found whole chickens on sale and purchased three of them. This was when the fun began.

I arrived home and fed the kids lunch and told them to go play while I cut up all the chicken. They decided to go ride bikes, but to do this I had to replace Emily's front innertube. Then Laurie insisted on riding her bike, which I have to help or she can't go anywhere (we are working on this problem). This activity took 45 minutes.

Just as I got into the house Emily and Josh come in and want to play with friends, but all their friends are on different tracks and had school. They found some kids who attend the charter school and won't start until monday, so soon my house was full of six kids instead of three.

I finally started to prep the kitchen to cut chicken and got one wing off when Josh and Friend needed help setting up a car track which also required finding new batteries. I get that done and cut up one chicken.

Starting on the next chicken I am inundated with requests for help with a computer game, drinks, snacks, and wanting to go swimming. I tell them that I can't fill up any pool until I am done with the chicken, and I keep working. I then get asked if they can go to their friend's house and run in the sprinkler. This idea sparks a search for their swimsuits. I keep telling them they are going to have to wait because I was all messy.

Long story short. I finally get the chicken cut, sorted, bagged, marinated and in the freezer. While keeping track of where the kids are and what they are doing. I also fill up the pool in the back yard and find all swimsuits.

I never thought that cutting up three chickens would be so hard. I do have three pounds of legs, two pounds of breasts, and a quart of chicken broth. Is it time for school yet?

Testimonies

Emily and Josh love to share their testimonies in Sacrament meeting every month. They go up together, Emily goes first then waits for Josh. Most of the time they end up saying the same things every time.

Today was no exception. The funny part is that Josh will get up and say he wants to bear his testimony and then procede to say something identical to his personal prayers. Today he got up and literally said his prayer. I felt my face flush and Emily was on the stand telling him he was doing it wrong. I am sure nobody really cared.

I am proud of him for getting up there every month, but I think we are going to have a talk about testimonies again.