October started off with a trip North to Farmington. I had a mission reunion to attend. It was advertised as the Rogers, mission president, last one. I don't know why they have decided that. I can see that President is aging faster than Sister Rogers and is not remembering things as well as he used to. He whispered to me that he was grateful the missionaries and their spouses were putting on name tags. Scott originally was not going to be there, he was going out of town for work, but that fell through. I invited him, but then told him he didn't need to come, but I think he just did not want to be stuck with the kids. I arranged for the kids to go to Ben and Cassie's. Scott got us a hotel room at the hotel in Farmington. The reunion was wonderful. I loved seeing the missionaries that were there. Not everyone was there but there were a lot of us. Several missionaries traveled from out of State to be there too. We had dinner and visited. Took pictures. Listened to a program in which 4 of the missionaries were asked to share some thoughts about what the mission did for them. And President and Sister Rogers each spoke. As always I love listening to them teach. They have been working as temple workers for the past couple years. That was obvious in the message that they shared. I also loved visiting with the Barlows. They were the directors after the Browns. But after they came home they also came to work with me at the MTC teaching the senior couples. Elder Barlow has not hardly aged a bit.
The Thursday before the reunion in Farmington, some of the VC sisters decided to have a lunch together. We met at Amanda Rowley's house. Tracy Andruski, Jean Nelson, Melanie Baadsgard, Nicole Woolf, and Beckee Silva were there. We could have visited all day long. As it was we showed up at 11ish and finally at 3 I had to go to pick up Eric and Rubie from school.
At the reunion was so happy to also visit with Simper, Wardle, Davis, Young, Lines, Hyland, Burgess, Forsyth, Wankier, Tyson, Mackelprang, Budge, Garcia, Jensen, Santisteban, Tregaskes, and others.
I was for sure that we would be done by 9. But I think it was finally around 11 or close to it that we left. We should have just let our kids spend the night at Ben and Cassie's but they really wanted to stay in the hotel too. So we got the kids and then went to the hotel.
Of course the next morning was conference and we decided while we were up North we might as well stay. Mom had to take Grandma to get her hair done. So after a ran around Farmington and Scott and the kids got the hotel breakfast and played in the swimming pool. We went to Heidi and Meija's soccer game and then to Koen's lacrosse game. After that we picked up food for a dinner/barbque back at Ben and Cassie's. We were home later that evening.
The reunion totally filled me up and I loved reconnecting with those missionaries. I want to have another get-together with the sisters. In the spring time I'll try to get some of us together again. And maybe every year if we have some kind of luncheon together more and more of the girls will come. Maybe we could do a service project while we are together or something.
That week on Tuesday, October 6, I joined Eric's class and the other 3rd graders for a field trip to temple square. They have been studying Bach. In our car I took Eric of course and Xandre Templeman and Luke Jorgenson. We first went to the Tabernacle where we sat in the Choir seats. Andrew Unsworth, an organist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, gave us a special presentation. He talked to us for about half an hour about how the organ works and how it was made and the type of music and sounds it can make. It was a great fascinating presentation. He even had some great things to share about Back. After that presentation we took our sack lunches and were able to find a place on Temple Square to eat our lunches. Before we sat down I got a text from Shannon Norton asking if we would like to meet Elder Ransband. Shannon's father is Elder Ron Rasband. He was called as a new apostle this past conference. It was an unusual conference as 3 apostles have passed away within the last six months, Elder Packer, Elder Perry, and Elder Scott most recently. The new apostles are Elder Ron Rasband, Elder Renlund, and Elder Stevenson.
Side note; I loved how during conference when Elder Rasband was called, Eric was totally paying attention to his testimony. We knew that he was Camden's grandpa. He has been a general authority for awhile.
Anyway, we walked over to the Administration Building to meet Elder Rasband. Shannon's mom, Sister Rasband was there too. She was coming to attend a lunch with the apostle's wives. While walking over I visited with her asking her questions about their new responsibilities and if Elder Ransband had any inkling that this calling was coming. I love that she said of course if thoughts like that come, out of humility you put them aside. But Elder Nelson did give him a lingering hug this week and Elder Rasband felt an extra measure of the Spirit. Looking back he feels that it was a sign of the calling that was going to be extended to him. Elder Rasband was very gracious with the children. There were about 4 moms and 12-15 children. He shook the kids' hands and then the mom's hands. I took a picture of Eric shaking Elder Rasband's hand. And then he stood on the steps with the kids for a photo. When Eric shook his hand Shannon introduced Eric as Camden's best school friend and Elder Rasband commented about that. What an honor and a privilege.
After we hurried and ate our lunch then we went back to the tabernacle for the noon recital given by Andrew Unsworth. He played a couple numbers including a Bach piece. The children were great and I really enjoyed this field trip with them.
Then that Thursday Jaxson and Madden, Joe and Tai's boys, came to stay for a couple days. Joe and Tai went on a Caribbean cruise. We got to have the boys here until about 11 pm on Saturday night. I was so worn out but we had a great time with them. Samuel absolutely loved having them here. He played so well with them. Friday we played at our house and then went to the Discovery Park. Noah and Max came over after school. It was Noah's birthday and Karl and Sarah were just coming in from out of town. Don and Janeel brought the boys over. After being here a few minutes we decided to go down to the Pit to play. The older boys stayed about an hour, but the little kids, including Rubie wanted to play at the trail. We stayed for another hour. Then Karl and Sarah showed up at the house with pizza, veggies, and treats. They all stayed to visit for awhile. Saturday Eric went to Noah's party in Provo, Rubie went to Paisley's birthday party and after going to Walmart with Sam and Madden I took Sam, Jaxon, and Madden to the Highland Park. I think we were there like 3 hours before I finally dragged them out. All 3 feel asleep in the car on the way home. I had a few minutes to myself to eat and chill before I woke up the kids. Scott was gone to the BYU game so I tried to entertain and take care of everyone.
Sunday I taught a lesson. One day during the week Sam gave me some time to actually prepare a lesson. Monday comes around again and I spend two hours at the school. I help in the lunchroom handing out pizza and helping with clean up and then go help in Mrs. Bingham's classroom for half an hour during reading time. It looks like that will be my gig for the rest of the school year. Then Tuesday again there is a field trip. This time with Rubie's class and the 2nd graders. This one is for science and we go to the BYU planetarium. I really have had trouble finding someone free on Tuesday and Thursday that could watch Sam. Everyone that we know that he has played with goes to Marsha Saetrum's preschool on those days. I took him to Brandee's when I went to Temple Square with the 3rd graders but it was hard. I didn't realize but she does not do daycare anymore, just preschool. So this week I had him go to Sue Easton who does do daycare. That is who we pick Brock up from to go to karate. A number of other families in the neighborhood have used her as well. I have been in her home a couple of times and feel very comfortable there. Sam has told me a few times that he had fun there and actually wanted to go there again today. I will have him go there again for field trips and class parties.
I loved going to BYU campus and to the planetarium. The 2nd graders were much crazier than the 3rd graders, but they were still good.
We are looking forward to Fall Break which I guess starts right after school today. I better go get Ezra up and feed him before I pick up the kids.
