Missionary mom times two who gets no sleep!

WOW! So much for trying to be more consistant at blogging! I don't think I realized how crazy my life + seminary would be. My days consist of getting up at 5 a.m. teaching a seminary lesson from 6 a.m. to 6:50 a.m., coming home, changing clothes and going off to teach piano lessons til 8:30 or 9 a.m. coming home, sleeping a little, eating, preparing for the next seminary lesson, teaching piano again in the afternoons, and then dinner and more preparing for seminary lesson and sleeping!! Repeat!!!
I have decided that my life is full of love/hate relationships. I LOVE being a seminary teacher but I hate it at the same time (It is WAY too early for anyone to have to get up!!) And I LOVE being a missionary mom but hate it all at the same time!!
Since the last time I added to my blog I have sent off another missionary. Caleb left Nov 20th for the Provo MTC and then off to Russia! In some ways things were easier the second time around and in more ways they were harder. It is definitely easier to get a son ready for a mission than it is to get a daughter ready. Suits, ties and white shirts are much easier to find than 10 different outfits! But saying goodbye to another child for 2 years is the hardest thing EVER! When we dropped Caleb off at the Spokane airport, there were two other missionaries headed out at the same time. One was going to Mexico, the other to Arizona. I think I was the only parent crying! There was someone in the airport whistling a tune and it echoed throughout the entire airport. It made me cry even harder but was so neat at the same time. It was "Come Follow Me"


Even though it is hard as a mom to send my children out into the world...I know that there is no better place for them. They are learning, and growing and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to so many!
When I am starting to complain about having to get up and teach so early, I only think of my missionaries who are sacrificing their time, sleep, comforts of life to serve. It puts things into better perspective for sure!!

Book of Mormon and Seminary!

SO, I have a new respect for Seminary teachers....especially EARLY MORNING seminary teachers!!! It is a hard calling!! I am saying this because I am now one of these seminary teachers and have survived the first three weeks! Our study is the Book of Mormon this year and as the picture above says...there is POWER in this book! My life has been changed since I have read and reread this book. I have been putting in some serious studying lately and my testimony of this book is again reaffirmed. I love how reading the Book of Mormon on a daily basis helps me keep perspective on the things that matter the most. I also have a testimony of seminary. It is so hard for me to get up so early to go to class and so I can only imagine how difficult it is for the kids BUT.... I see the blessings of such sacrifice and dedication. By the way...I have the greatest seminary class ever!! I love these kids and I am amazed at the strength and righteousness they have! Did I mention that this was a HARD calling but it is also the BEST calling! Read the Book of Mormon today and EVERYDAY!!

You may be able to smell me from your computer!

This is my new favorite laundry item!! This boosts the smell of your laundry like no other!! I especially love using it for my towels and sheets!! I have only tried this blue scent so I don't know if the others smell as good. Try them!

Seattle!

We LOVE Costco! Here is the boys and Dave at the first Costco in Kirkland.

We went on the HUGE Ferris Wheel. It was pretty fun especially becausse the boys promised they would not rock the cars like they usually do. (The cars are pretty secure so that even if they tried, the cars would really budge)

The view from the top of the Ferris wheel.

The GUM wall!!!! SO gross yet so facinating all at once!

Nose Goes was our method of who was the one choosing where we went or what we did or where and what we ate.

The Zoo!! I think we had the oldest kids at the Zoo. But we had a good time and even saw the baby giraffe. He was only 6 months old and SO cute!

BSU/Washington game in the new Husky Stadium. That place is huge and SO loud!! Too bad we got killed!!! 38-6 So sad but it was a fun experience. Next time I will bring ear plugs and next time our team will dominate!!

Playing some beach volleyball at Alki Beach. It was such a beautiful day!! I kindof forgot to take a picture of the water :/

Our last vacation with Caleb for a few years. We had a great time, made new memories. But we already have things planned for the "next time we go to Seattle" (inside joke)haha!!!

Whom the Lord calls, He qualifies

I have a new calling!! Early Morning Seminary Teacher!!! I am scared... yet excited to teach. The Book of Mormon is the study this year which makes my job a little easier. I love the Book of Mormon and I am excited to learn and grow right along with my students this year. I have not always been the greatest to study everyday from the scriptures but as I have been studying and getting ready for the year, I have already noticed the wonderful feeling and the power that is added to my life.

Double Missionaries = Double the Blessings!

We were hoping to come home to a mission call but nothing. Bummer!!! But....the next day was another story!! Caleb's call came! Caleb has been called to the Novosibersk, Russia mission! He will be speaking Russian just like Kelsie! We did record him opening the call but I promised I would not post it anywhere online. He only let me record it so Kelsie could watch it. He is a very private boy and that is just fine! Having a child open a mission call is an experience. Secretly, I was hoping that he would be called to somewhere in the USA. But not for me....Clear to Siberia!! What's up with this?????? Even farther away from me than Kelsie! Caleb is SO excited! I know that the Lord has a purpose for Caleb in Russia. The people need his humor and smile and his love for the gospel. We are looking forward to his new adventure!

Bees Knees

We went to Boise for the Fourth of July and during our stay we got to visit the newest beekeeper in the family. James and Julie have taken up the "hobby" of beekeeping. How cool is this?? I just need it to be known that I dislike bees especially when they come anywhere near me!!! But I did put on the suit and I got close up and personal with the bees. It was pretty cool!

Caleb ran into a childhood friend at the movie theater. Nathan and Caleb.....time goes by so fast! Soon they will both be serving missions!

Grandma Madge in her favorite spot at James and Julie's.

It is always fun to visit with the family while we are "home". I realize that I don't take enough pictures but I will try to be better!