April 27th

Today was an interesting day.  We arose at 6:00 a.m. and read scriptures and conference talks and said prayer for an hour.  We then had breakfast and I went to Physical Therapy.  I still was not feeling well.  In addition to my hip hurting from the Sciatica I was aching all over which I think was Fibromyalgia but it is hard to tell sometimes.  Larry said that his feet were hurting so he did not want to exercise. 

It took me about and hour at PT and we did not do traction because I am thinking that may be what has been making me worse.  I came home and we got ready and went to Weight Watchers.  We both lost 2 lbs this week so we were feeling good about that.

After eating lunch at the apartment we went to the Mission Office.  Larry had a guy flying in to buy a car from him from Utah so he was focused on that and getting the new cars ready for Tiwis so he was in and out going to the DMV and the Airport and the Post Office.  I was working on my referrals and supply orders but most of the time wishing that I could go home and go to bed because I felt so awful. I also called and got and appointment with a Chiropractor to see if they could help because it seems that the PT is making me worse. I was also trying to work things out so that we could get the boys pinewood derby cars finished because Nathan was not able to get the help to finish them before he left.

About 2:30 p.m. I realized that I could not go any further with the supply orders until I went home and looked for my clip board that I had not been able to find in the morning.  I use a clipboard to take referrals and orders when I am out of the office.  So I went home.  I said a prayer on the way that I needed some help with my pain and that it was hard to function with what I was experiencing.  I went home and got the clipboard and got me a Weight Watchers ice cream bar and on the way back to the office I realized that I was feeling fine.  And I have felt fine for the rest of the day. I know God answers prayers.

About 5:00 p.m. we left to go to Converse to meet Sara with the kids and work on the cars.  She had the cars.  She also had a play practice this evening so we took the kids while she was at play practice.  We stopped and ate at Jack in the Box, one of Larry's favorite places to eat.

We asked Doug Emmett to meet us at Nathan's apartment so we could get some tools because he had the key.  He agreed to meet us at 6:45 p.m. when Sara wanted to meet us.  When he had not got there by 7:00 p.m. I texted him and he was on his way to get them from his son who took them to work with him.  He said he would be there in about 30-40 minutes.  We had been planning to take them to orange leaf for a treat after but we decided to go then.

Orange leaf is a fun frozen yogurt place that you can dispense your own yogurt and add your own toppings and make your own sundae.  I helped Maggie make hers and she always makes a lot.  She adds chocolate ice cream with pink lemonade and gummy bears so it is not what I want to eat then she sits down and takes one bite and is finished.  She has done this for about three times now.  Tonight she decided that she wanted a drink after getting her sundae and we said we would not buy a drink before she ate her sundae so she just sat and complained about needing a drink.  Finally she went into the restroom with me and drank water from the sink.  When we came back Larry was eating her sundae because he, "was not going to throw it away after paying for it."  So he got his sugar for the night.  Next time I will buy her a juice box.  Larry says there will be no next time.

When we got in the apartment we began to look for the tools for the derby cars.  We found everything except the dremel tool box was empty except for the handle .  We looked everywhere we could and could not find the parts to it.  I don't know where it went because when we worked on pinewood derby cars for the Elders vs. High Priests it was full and had all the parts in it.  We were frustrated.  Larry wanted to give up but I suggested that we say a pray that we could figure out how to finish the cars.  I ended up saying the prayers and got emotional while I was praying.  We made a few phone calls and Brother Smith in our ward said that he would help us on Wednesday before the pinewood derby contest at 5:30 p.m.  That seemed good but I guess that Larry realized how important this was to me because of my prayer and when we got home he agreed to try to find a dremel tool tomorrow and get some polished nails and work on the cars tomorrow.  So again I am feeling like God answers prayers.

Kirsten called tonight when we got home.  I talked to Kyle and explained to him that we would not be able to make it to his graduation but we would like him to come down to Texas after and spend some time with us.  He agreed to come on June 1-8th and so we will need to get the ticket purchased soon.  I also talked to Kirsten and Taylor for a while.

Well past time for bed.  Pleasent dreams.

April 26th and befoe

Today has gone by fast.  We slept in until 8:00 a.m. and then read scriptures and conference talks for an hour.  We had breakfast and showered and started to dress and it was 10:25 a.m. and we were almost late for church.

It was interesting because the theme today was the restoration of the priesthood and the first speaker spoke on the Ten Commandments.  The second speaker spoke on the Aaronic Priesthood and its importance but nothing about the restoration and the Third speaker talked on how Music has affected the Restoration of the Church instead of the Priesthood and the last speaker talked about the Importance of the two priesthoods working together.  I know that I probably did not have the right spirit or it would not have bothered me that no one spoke about the restoration of the Priesthood.

It has been a hard week for me.  For some reason my hips and back and legs are acting up and my Sciatica has been bad and all I could think about today in church was how much I hurt and maybe the Lord would give me credit for just coming.

After Sacrament meeting I decided to walk around a little before Sunday School class and ended up talking to others and walking the whole time.  It did help my legs some though.

Relief Society was based on Elder Hamula talk from October General Conference about the Sacrament and the Atonement.  It is an awesome talk that helps to focus on the importance of the atonement.  At the end she had us comment on how we apply the Sacrament and Atonement in our lives and there were some very good comments but one that I liked was that the Atonement can help us to overcome the hurts that others inflict on us because of no fault of our own.

Ciecli Rose Christiansen

Last week I didn't get the picture of Cieli Rose with her eyes open in the blog so I am adding it this week.

Monday morning I went to Physical Therapy at 7:30 a.m. feeling fine.  Walking fine.  I drove a van to pick up Larry from the Van rental place and could hardly walk.  I called the PT person and they said that sometime PT can do that.  During the day I worked on office work.  Larry had 11 new cars come in that he had to pick up from Toyota so he had the assistants and moving elders help him get them to the office parking lot.

Monday was the Senior Missionary dinner that we have after the Transfers.  It was in New  Braunfels this time at the Mamacitas restaurant they have there.  I was hoping that we could get Bob and Carol Vincent to meet us there as they have moved there from Utah but they were having health issues and couldn't make it.  Nathan was invited but he did not go so it was weird to be there by ourselves.

Elder Williams, Elder Clark and his sister, Sister Clark

After the dinner we went by Nathan's and took him a dinner and got the boys Scout uniforms and books so that we would have them for Wednesday.  I asked him if we could have a key for his apartment when we were gone but he said that he wanted to see about it.

Tuesday morning we went to San Marcos to pick up a car that Larry needed to have in San Antonio from a missionary and we gave him a different one.  We had breakfast with them at Jack in the Box.  I was feeling well this morning but for some reason I was stiff in all my leg muscles so my leg is a fluke. The only exersize that I did the day before was to hold in my stomach to build up my core. Larry spent the day getting that car ready to sell to a person flying down from Utah to buy it. I again worked on paperwork.  I got in about 45 boxes of Book of Mormons but was unable to get them put away because of my legs and back.

Elder and Sister Adair- Great people from Clearfield

Sometime during the day Nathan let me know that he was not going to give me a key but that I could pick some of the kids stuff up if I wanted before he left.  I was not happy. 

Tuesday night we went to the temple for Ward Temple night at 8:00 p.m.  It was a good session.

Elder and Sister Greer- Newly weds only been married a year

Wednesday morning we went to the office and worked most of the day until it was about time to get the kids for Scouts.  It rained all day long and was really wet.  Larry went to pick up the car that he was selling from Pep Boys and it took him and hour longer that he thought so we were slow picking up the kids but it worked out okay.  We got to McDonald's and got them some food.  We didn't have time for ice cream much to Sammy's chagrin but we make it to Scouts.  As we were driving there they said they were canceling Sammy's Scouts due to the rain on Facebook.  But Isaac had his Weblos meeting anyway.  They were supposed to go to a park and do a service project but it was too wet.  Isaac's leader planned something else but the others didn't.

Elder and Sister Williams and Elder and Sister Studevant

Sara got there late because their dog Roxy got lost and they were looking for her.  They were pretty sad.  She finally brought David and traded us kids about 7:20 p.m.  They didn't find Roxy that evening and Nathan volunteered that night to go look for her the next day but then she came home all muddy and such at about 3:30 a.m.  So that was good.  She is loved by the kids and Nathan and Sara.

We were able to help two people in our ward in the Family History Center that night and were able to help them get some names in Family Search Family Tree so they could take them to the temple.

We went by Nathan's after we dropped Isaac and David off and went to the apartment to get some of the kids stuff.  We were able to get their Ipads and Sunday Clothes and some of the snorkeling equipment but I could not find any bedding so we may have to have the kids sleep at Sara's and we will take them during the day

Elder and Sister Antuar are from Australia

Thursday I was really tired because of not sleeping well so Larry let me sleep in until noon and went to the office by himself.  It felt good but I could have slept the whole day. I was also still stiff in my legs.  I went in for the afternoon and worked diligently and accomplished quite a bit.  It also rained Thursday  in fact during the night it was really thundering and lightning.

I talked to mom for awhile in the morning after I woke up.  I was good to talk to her and she gave me some good advice.  Among which was to have the young Elders and Sisters help me with my boxes that needed put away.

Thursday afternoon we had an Elder Dittmar from the missionary office to visit for a while.  It turned out that he was origninally from San Antonio and was in the same stake or ward as the Williams's so they had a good time visiting with him as well as the President.

Nathan had Honey Bishop help him with the kids on Thursday so we had a night to go home and rest.

Friday morning I went to Physical Therapy at about 7:30 a.m.  I walked out of the house fine and when I got there and got out of the car I could hardly walk my sciatica hurt so much.  They worked on my back and helped me to do some traction but I have not got feeling better all weekend. They say that my spine is out of alignment and I have two areas in the lower back that are not opening.  Plus I have the aches of Fibromyalgia so I just do not feel good.

We worked in the office on Friday and were able to accomplish a lot.  I asked the assistants to help me move the boxes and they helped me move them all.  Larry spent the day out working on getting licenses on cars and working with tiwi's. We went grocery shopping that night and went home and went to bed because he was exhausted so we went to bed at 8:45 p.m.

I think that Nathan left on Saturday morning early for Utah to stay with Marcy for a month.  I will feel better with him there because he can do a lot for himself but he is still pron to falling and such.  Kirsten said that he got there and they had dinner with her and Marcus and Amanda Hadlock so at least I know he made it okay.

It was not a good night for me.  I woke up about every hours having to go to the bathroom.  About 4:00 a.m. after laying there and not being able to go to sleep for 15 minutes I got up and read for a while and then had breakfast and took a shower and went to the hairdresser at about 6:30 a.m.  I let Larry sleep because he had been so tired the night before.  I got there and felt fine as she was doing my hair.  Then when she took me to the wax room to do my eyebrows I started getting nauseated.  By the time I got home I was shaking all over and could hardly pour me some milk to drink as I felt like that would help.  Then I went to bed.  We read scriptures for a while but I didn't feel good and kept shaking and falling asleep.  I told Larry I wanted to sleep.  So I slept for most of the day. I never threw up and I only got up to eat. I was feeling better last night but right now I do not feel good again.  So I guess this is the whining blog for the week.

April 19th and before

Nathan moved out for good yesterday so it was just me and Larry that had to get ready for church despite the fact this was Nathan's week to have the kids.  We slept in.

We got to church early and sat where we usually do and when Nathan came in with the kids they came immediately to see us.  Nathan had Logan Ray from Woodlake ward that stayed with him this weekend.  He is barely 18 he looks like but they got the kids reasonably dressed and ready to be there and on time.  Sammy and Maggie were immediately wondering if they could come to our apartment today but I told them to ask Nathan and he said no.  But I was able to give them lots of hugs in Sacrament meeting.

Church was about the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Restoration.  The Rosales family spoke.  It was the Mom and daughters first time speaking but they did a good job.  I missed most of the mom's talk because I was in the bathroom with Maggie.  The father was talking about how wonderful it is to have a temple in San Antonio and how it was before they had a temple when I came back.  He encouraged people to come to the temple as he works there.  He said there are times when the temple is not full. 

They also had the confirmation of 4 children that were converts baptized into the church from one family.  They ranged from about 14-8 or 9.  I talked to the 14 year old because I thought that he might be David's age and he seemed to really appreciate the contact.

Sunday School was about the Holy Ghost and why he is important.  They talked about how you need to have a witness from the Holy Ghost to know for sure if the church is true.

Relief Society was on the importance of studying the scriptures.  It was based on a talk by President Ezra Taft Benson.  They mentioned several blessings of studying the scriptures but one thing that stuck out to me is that if you continue to read them you will find answers to your problems and they will become real to you.  You will recognize that they are about real people just like you.

This week has been transfer week in the mission.  Mondays and Fridays I am doing physical therapy for my Sciatica at 7:30 in the morning.  That takes until about 9:00 a.m. so we are usually late on those days although on Mondays we do not go into the office early because the Assistants and the Sister Trainer Leaders are using the computers and we cannot get anything done.  So after we showered and dressed we went to Weight Watchers.  I lost .4 lbs and Larry lost 2 lbs so we at least lost this week.  Then we went home and ate lunch.  Nathan was there with his housekeeper packing up some of his stuff so we made him lunch.  He and Honey packed up most of his stuff in his bedroom and bathroom and most of the kids stuff that day.

Monday I spent most of the day catching up on the paperwork that I had to do.  Referrals, Baptisms and Confirmations, Monthly Reports Etc.  Larry was working on Tiwi reports and Accident paperwork.

Monday night we ate at home and watched Bones in anticipation that soon the TV would be gone because it is Nathan's.  We did not get home until about 7:00 p.m. because we were working some things out on our taxes with H&R Block. But we have that finished now.

Tuesday I worked on paperwork again. I also had to order the food for the meals we had to serve on Wednesday from Walmart and Blanco BBQ. I mostly held down the office as the Williamses had to go help feed the missionaries that were leaving the next day.  Larry was also out working on the cars that he had to get ready to sell and he went to the DMV to get paperwork for registrations.

Tuesday night because the temple was closed for cleaning we ate at home and watched Bones before prayer and Scripture and going to bed.  Larry and I went to bed early but I knew I had to get up to go and get a key from the Stone Oak Sisters for the Church for tomorrow.  Marcy texted me about 10:15 p.m. wondering if I knew if Nathan was okay because he had told her he would answer her back while she was at the Tax office and he quit answering at 7:22 p.m Utah time. She was worried that he might have fallen because that is easy for him to do.  So I called Ken Jackson that lives in the complex and he went over to look.  He said that the lights were all out but that the van was not there.  So I decided to call Honey Bishop his housekeeper and see if she had it.  Fortunately she did.  She said she had taken him some dinner and left at 7:15 p.m. and he was fine but he had said he was tired.  So after praying about it and feeling that things were okay then I called Marcy and told her that I thought he was sleeping and what I found out.  We talked for a while and then we went to bed about 11:00 p.m. Honey texted the next morning at 8:45 a.m. that "all is well."

Mission Leaders: Sister Shaffer, Sister Turpin, Elder Pew, Elder Calley, Elder Hatch, President McCullough(1st Counselor)  Moving Elders Elder Rallison, Elder Whitby and Elder Webb

Wednesday was our busy day for incoming missionaries although this time it was not too bad as we only had 5 missionaries come in this time.  We worked in the office in the morning and then left about 1:00 p.m. to get the food from Walmart for the lunch that we serve the missionaries when they get in.  We headed to Stone Oak and got things set up.  Unfortunately the planes were delayed because of a blizzard in Utah so we sat at the chapel for a while before anyone came.  We were amazed that they had had a blizzard in Utah because Larry checks the Utah mail every morning and it did not indicate a storm. The Stone Oak Sisters came to pick up their key and were there when the missionaries came in.  It was interesting because one of the missionaries knew a friend of Sister Tyree and he had been told to tell her hi and she was right there when he came in.  Tender Mercy!!

June, Elder Casey Hendricks, Larry one of our favorite Elders

Wednesday night we fed the missionaries their traditional Texas BBQ dinner to welcome them to Texas.  We worked hard and it turned out well.  We left a little early because of the small number of missionaries that were there.

Thursday we had to be at the Stone Oak Chapel at 7:30 a.m.  We made it fine.  We went through the orientation meeting and then they had the transfer meeting.  There were several changes.  Then at 10:30 a.m. we left to drive to Austin for the Transfer meeting there.  The transfer meeting was good in Austin also.  At the very end I went out to use the restroom and the Assistant to the President, Weston Peine, (that was here a year ago when we came and went home shortly after) was sitting in the foyer in a red t-shirt and jeans.  It took me a minute to recognize him but it was so good to see him.  He had come down to see a family he converted and to see if things might work out with a girl he knew down here. We took several pictures after the meeting with the missionaries.

Weston Piene and June.

Friday it rained all day. It was raining when I went to physical therapy.  It was a dreary day and my fibromyalgia was having a field day acting up.  I hurt so bad all day that I thought I would just as soon go to bed all day but I didn't.  I drove a van to Capps to pick up Larry after he dropped off a van there and when I got out my Sciatica was very bad again.  I could hardly walk.  It was weird because in the morning it was not bothering me at all at PT.  I pushed through the work of the day and then we left and went to Blanco BBQ and got some of their Chicken tenders.  We split a children's portion.  That is how big they are.  I was so sore and tired and Larry was tired so we went to bed when we got home.  I ended up sleeping about 12 hours again.

Saturday I woke up and my pain was gone and my hip did not hurt.  Go Figure?  It was suppose to rain all day but it cleared up and was a good day. 

I took Maggie to dance lessons for Sara as she had to take Hercules to the vet and Nathan had asked her to take her because he was moving.  She did a good job.  She has a knack for dancing.  We went to Chick-fil-A for lunch because that is Maggie's favorite and then I took her to Nathan's apartment because she was staying with him.  When we got there the ward was just helping him unload so I helped with that and then I went home.  I would have stayed to help him unpack but he started yelling at me because I started to answer a question that was for him (which I am trying to overcome) and so I just left.

I went home and took a nap with Larry and then worked on the blog all afternoon trying to get caught up.  Larry made dinner and worked on the house so I could have more time to work on the blog.  I don't know why it takes me so long but it does.  He says he also enjoyed the silence.  I miss the kids and Nathan too when he is nice.

April 12 and before

Today I went to church by myself for the first time since I came here.  Nathan was there when I got there so I sat by him. Sacrament was about what we can do to prepare again for conference and how we can implement the teachings of the Gospel in our lives.  I had read a talk this morning about how to get the music of the Gospel in my life from Conference that meant a lot to me and one of the speakers talked about how much that meant to them also

BJ and Cieli

 I had offered to teach primary for Ginger Forbes. She had to leave quickly because her father was ill.  I was teaching the 6-7years old.  The lesson was about being grateful for the things our parents have taught us and about the importance of teaching the Gospel to our children.  We played a game where I read a poem and they had to put their hands on their heads when I said heaven or home.  Then they wanted to do it again and they climbed on their chairs and jumped off when I said heaven and home.  I turned around and the primary counselor was there inside the door.  I asked her if she needed anything and she said she was just worried that the kids were out of control.  I told her no.  So I got in trouble again for my desire to let kids be kids.

Cieli topping the scale at 8.79 lbs.

Holly and Cieli

Nathan decided that he wanted to move out this weekend earlier in the week but the Bishop talked him into waiting until next week to get everyone from the ward to help him.  But he decided to move down to the apartment on Wednesday.  He bought him a bed and then he has been staying in his apartment since then.  His housekeeper Honey Bishop has been driving him and helping him with the kids on Thursdays.  It has been hard because he is acting like a teenager.  He wants out and so he does not tell us much about what is going on.  Honey came to me today and said that he had asked her to stay for the weekend to help with the kids as he has them next Friday but she told him she could not do that and she talked to the Bishop about getting someone from the Priesthood to help him so I guess that we do not get to help with the kids next Friday for the weekend.

Larry was not home from John and Judy's yet when I got home so I ate and then listened to some Conference talks and said some prayers.  I had just started the blog when Larry got home.  We basically ate and then read and said prayers after that and went to bed.  After a while I got up for something and Marcy called to talk because she was driving back from Cedar City and needed someone to help her stay awake.  We talked for a long time.  Finally at about 12:00 a.m. our time she stopped to get some gas and things so we decided I needed to go to bed.  She texted me later and told me she was glad I was her Mother in law.  I am glad she is my daughter-in-law we are on the same wave length.

Back to earlier in the month.  BJ and Holly welcomed their first child on Tuesday the 31st of March.  They named her Cieli (pronounced Chay-lee) Rose Christiansen.  Cieli is the Italian word for heaven.  She weighed 8 lbs and 7 oz. and she is a cute chunky healthy baby.  She is 21 inches long so she is tall like all of our babies.  Holly's Mom was able to go and help for a while.  I really wish we were closer but we will see her soon I suppose.  BJ was able to get some good pictures of her that they have sent by text and posted on Facebook so that helps.

Nathan with the Texas team ready to ski

Nathan started the Winter Sports Clinic on Tuesday.  Marcy sent a picture of him all bundled up ready to ski.  Apparently even though this is a Wounded Warriors Clinic they did not get a motel room that is handicapped so they are having some interesting moments trying to get Nathan in the bathroom and showered.  He seems to like the sports though even though he is not smiling in the picture.  I am glad that Marcy could go with him and help him.

View from temple hill

We had a regular office day but we went to the Temple on Tuesday night so that was a fulfilling evening.  I took some pictures of the city from the temple.  They are not professional but it show how the temple is on a hill.

Maggie in the baby pool

Wednesday I received my supply order for the mission and felt like it was a miracle.  I had forgotten how late it was getting while taking time off to help Nathan with the kids and shopping for ski clothes and forgot to order the supplies for MLC until last Thursday.  I ordered them and then was worried that they would not come in in time to get the orders together because it usually takes 10 working days to get an order here.  But it came in less than 5 days because of prayer and that gave me time to work on it on Wednesday and Thursday.

David trying to convince Isaac and Sammy the water was warm

Wednesday night we took the little kids to McDonalds after picking them up from school.  The boys all had Scouts and Sara picked up David and then she took Maggie and we went to the Family History Center while they were in Scouts.  Sammy had a fun time because they made Flash lights out of toilet paper rolls and some wiring to teach them the principles of electricity.

Thursday I spent all day filling orders for MLC so that I could be finished so that I could take the kids on Friday because they were out of school for Good Friday.  I worked hard and was able to get it done before we left but I was frustrated because the other half of my Book of Mormon order had not arrived and I had had to deny several zones their Book of Mormons that they ordered.  And they were not small orders.  Several boxes each.

Enjoying the water

We got the kids Thursday night later because Sara wanted to dye Easter Eggs with them before they came because they would be there all weekend for Easter and Maren was coming from North Carolina so we were planning on rolling Easter Eggs with her.  That was good she wanted more time because we needed to get some groceries for the kids and we went to get some dinner.

Friday Larry went to the office and I stayed home with the kids.  We did a lot of fun things.  Maggie organized her brothers in the morning into having a picnic on the floor of the apartment.  I was impressed with how she was able to figure out what they were going to eat and play while they did it.  We also went swimming that day in the apartment's outdoor pool.  It was quite warm that day in the 80's but then it cooled down when Maren came.

Maggie's picnic on the floor

Larry called from the office and the Book of Mormons had come in that morning so he and the Williams's got my orders and filled the Book of Mormon orders that I thought I was not going to have and got them to the Stone Oak Chapel before the Leaders left.  It was a true miracle that week how the Lord made it possible for them to have their supplies despite my inadequacies.  I was also glad that Larry would worry about it and help me get it done.

Maggie, David, Brinlie, Gauge and Ellie

Guage, Sammy, Ellie, Isaac and Max

Maren did not come in on Friday night as we thought she would.  They finally made it about 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon Saturday.  I had told them to get a hotel by the airport and so they were only about 10 minutes from us.  We had made arrangements to go to the Riverwalk and have a boat tour by our Bishop here in Texas.  Bishop Alonzo is one of the tour guides for the Boats.  We got there and it took about a half hour to get on his boat but it was a fun tour and Bishop got to meet Maren and her family because there was no church on Easter Weekend because of Conference.  He also did it for free because he can have a certain number of family and friends for free each month.  I thought that was a warm gesture on his part as we did not ask for free.

Bishop Alonzo driving his boat

Larry and June in the River Boat

We tried to get in a couple of restaurants on the Riverwalk but most of them were a two hour wait with it being Easter Weekend.  It was crowded and in the excitement to see Maren I had forgot to take my pain pill so I was not having a good time.  I mention to Landon that we could go somewhere else to eat if he didn't care and he said that all he wanted to have while he was in Texas was some good Texas Barbecue.  I remembered that Blanco Barbecue where we get the barbecue for the incoming missionaries had a playground and good barbecue so we decided to go there.  I was amazed because they do have good barbecue and Landon wanted us to send him some of the sauce they make, but most of the kids ordered the kids meal of chicken tenders and they were huge.  Six inches long.  Hand battered on fresh not frozen chicken.  They were so good that Larry and I have since gone back to get just that.  The kids had a good time and for the most part so did the adults.  They even had a small mini zoo for the night.

Maren, David, Gauge, and Nathan looking at mini zoo

Sunday we had planned to roll Easter Eggs before 11:00 a.m. Conference but we ended up watching the first session and then going to roll the eggs in between.  There is a small dam by our apartment that has worked good last year so we went there.  Nathan had also had me get some Mexican Cascarones which are confetti eggs from a lady in Woodlake ward that was making them essentially for free.  They also had a good time breaking those on each other and Landon's family has a tradition called red eggs where they each take a red egg and take turns cracking them with each other until only one person has an uncracked egg.  We tried to combine all of those and we had a good time.

Landon, Maren, Max and Brinlie at Blanco BBQ

Nathan,  Isaac and David.  See Chicken tenders on left

We went back and had lunch and then tried to watch Conference in the afternoon but I did not get much out of it because I was being a Martha and trying to help those who were there to have a good time.  I have since been listening to them online and having a great experience.  We are so blessed with the communication that we now have that makes it possible to listen to the talks immediately online after conference.  They also had them out within a few days in written form to be read as you listen.

Maggie, David, Gauge, Ellie, Max, Brinlie rolling Easter Eggs

Sara let the kids play a little longer and then Maren and Landon took Nathan's kids home for him and we tended their kids because there is only room for 6 in the van besides Nathan.  I had a good time playing legos with Ellie.  And Max was trying to play something with me too. I was surprized that he knew me so well.  Brinlie and Gauge were busy with their tablets.  I can not believe how much each of them has grown since I was with them for Brinlie's baptism.

It was funny because I thought that Maggie would be so happy to see Ellie and play with her but she was so jealous of sharing her Grandparents and toys and such that it made it hard for Ellie.  I am sure she will grow out of it.  But one time Ellie said, You don't have to be so rude."

David, Brinlie and Maren rolling eggs

Larry, Landon, David, Issac, Gauge, Maggie and Ellie

When they first came Maren and Landon thought that they would not be able to stay after Monday but then Landon's parents wanted them to go to California on their way home so they were able to stay and go to the zoo in San Antonio while Larry and I worked.  Then we met them at the Riverwalk and ate at the Hard Rock Cafe.  Nathan said he was tired from his trip so we bought him some food and took it home. It was fun to have that extra time with them.  They had parked by the Alamo so they went to the Alamo after dinner but Larry and I went home and took Nathan his food and went to bed.

Tuesday I finally talked Maren and Landon into coming by the office to see where we work.  Luckily the President was there because they were working on transfers that week so he was able to meet them. I say that because he is seldom in the office.  It was fun to show off my children and grandchildren.  Maren and Landon left shortly after that.

Brinlie showing her egg.  See the Texas Blue Bonnets growing here

David wearing his Easter Bucket

Nathan bought a bed for his apartment in Converse on Tuesday.  He came back to the apartment that night late on Via Trans.  He asked us to take him to the Church on Wednesday but because we have been banned from driving his van I asked him how we were supposed to do that.  In the past when he has banned me from driving I have talked Larry into driving for him so we could get where we needed to go but this time he refused and I appreciated the support.  So Nathan transferred his meeting to his apartment.  He has not come back to the apartment since then except to move his things with his housekeeper.  He wrote to our Mission President and told him he was done with us and the Mission President and the Bishop each said that perhaps we needed to give him some space.  He has been quite creative in his ways of getting things done without us and I am proud of him actually.  It is too bad that we have to have a fight to help him progress.  He has had his housekeeper take him on Thursdays to get the kids and she apparently also brings him food sometimes.  He had the ward help him find someone  in the Priesthood to stay with him and the kids this weekend while it was his turn to have the kids.

Maggie in her new Easter Dress

David playing with balloons from Blanco BBQ

I decided to go to Time out for Women that is presented by Deseret Book on the 10th and the 11th.  One of the ladies in our Woodlake ward had a ticket to sell so I decided to try it.  I just went by myself.  It started on Friday night and then was most of the day on Saturday.  Larry decided to go visit John and Judy while I was gone and Nathan was staying at his apartment so I had our apartment to myself and I would be lying if I said I did not like it.  I was processing how I felt about Nathan's sudden move and Larry's attitude to it and it gave me time to think.

Lego Frozen Castle the kids got for Easter. Notice the confetti from the eggs

Ellie, Brinlie, and Gauge at Hard Rock Cafe

On Saturday I met some of the ladies from Woodlake ward and sat with them.  It was fun to be with them and they gave me some support.  The talks were inspiring and the music also but I have decided that Time out for Women is a big marketing campaign for Deseret Book and some of their colleagues.  I bought two copies of Meet the Mormons and an entire outfit from Sweet Salt then the next day I bought two more books.  And that was me trying to be conservative!!  I texted Larry and told him to transfer some money and he was cute and just said "Done, I love you!"

Saturday evening I went and bought some food so we would have food for Sunday and  basically ate and went to bed.  I slept for 12 hours and felt like I needed it.

Time out for Women blow up of Stage to the left

One of the singers from the group Gentri that reminded me of Nathan and Dr. Who with the bow tie and checkered suit

June in the blouse and sweater from Sweet Salt.  I seem to be able to catch every wrinkle with selfie pictures

March 30 and before

Today was a normal Monday minus having Nathan with us.  Nathan is in Colorado with a VA Sports clinic for Wounded Warriors.  Marcy is with him and it sounds like they are having a good time.  Today they got a tour of Aspen, Colorado.

Taylor's new hair cut

We got up and read our scriptures and prayed and then exercised and ate breakfast and then showered and got ready to go.  Larry had to get a car going to Walnut Creek that needed to be transported there and he needed to pick one up at Benson Chevrolet that had been fixed.  Then we were off to Weight Watchers.  I lost 2.8 lbs and Larry stayed the same so at least he didn't gain.  We went grocery shopping for food for the office and then back to the office.

David and Maggie at Blue and Gold

The assistants were on the computers until almost 1:00 p.m.  We had devotional with the Williams and then began to try to work.  I went in and worked on updating the transfer board or the "war board"  and Larry was doing something but I do not know what.  Finally I went in and was able to work on my computer and I have a pattern I go through.  I read the Outlook email and then the LDSmail.net email and then the Referral secretary email.  I try to do the things that need done in each so that I don't have to go back to them.  Then I start working on referrals.  I finished all the referrals I had except for those with bad addresses last Friday so today I only had about 10 to send out.  Then I go to Baptisms and Confirmations.  I spent the rest of the day typing those today.  I was able to get in 16 that I submitted to the Convert Data Entry system this afternoon.  Sometimes if I have other things to do I will only spend a limited time on Referrals and Baptisms and spend the afternoon on what ever it is like supply orders and the board and name tag orders or Stake and Weekly reports that need to be entered.  I also have some paperwork to do for the new missionaries coming in that needs to be recorded so we know what kind of bike they are bringing and if they have in all their driving papers so they can drive when they come.

Larry at Ruby Tuesday's

Tonight we ate at Arby's and came home and read some things for Family Home Evening and then read our scriptures and now I am attempting to complete something on the blog.

BJ texted about 2:40 p.m that they had admitted Holly to the hospital and that they might have a baby today.  I am anxiously awaiting hearing the results on their little girl and Holly.

Marcy sent some pictures of she and Nathan from Colorado so I will try to include those.

Boxes Nathan bought to move to his apartment

Last Monday followed a similar schedule except that Larry and I slept in because I was up so late doing the blog.  Also Nathan wanted me to take him to a store in San Antonio that advertized that they had Ski Clothes and that we had visited the week before and they were not there and said that they would be back on Monday.  They were not.

Tuesday we went into the office and worked in the Morning.

Sara had asked us to take the kids overnight on Tuesday and take them to school on Wednesday morning and pick them up from school.  She thought she might come and pick them up Wednesday night late but we offered to have the kids on Wednesday night also and take them to school on Thursday morning because it was going to be 11:00 p.m. before the competition her High School Drama kids were in was finished.  She eventually took us up on that.

Sammy at Blue and Gold

Nathan asked me to come home about 2:00 p.m. and get him lunch and then we went to try to see if we could get ski clothes again.  This time they had a sign on the door that said that they were closed until Sept. 2015 and to call if you wanted some help.  Nathan called the number but they never answered and he finally decided that maybe Marcy could get him some clothes easier in Utah or on her way to Colorado so that is what they did.

Nathan went with me to get the kids after that.  We usually pick up Isaac and Sammy and then go to Maggie's preschool and then go to Randolph Air Force Base where David attends school.  On a good day it takes a half hour to drive down there and an hour to go to all the schools and then a half hour to drive back.  We got to San Antonio about 5:00 p.m. I think.

Nathan at Ruby Tuesday's

The Blue and Gold Banquet was going to be the next day and so Nathan wanted to go to the Scout office to get a uniform for Sammy so he would have one as he is now a new Cub Scout.  It is not to far from where we live and so we took all the kids to the office and went to get that.  Of course we saw other things to get so it took until about 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday night we just helped the kids make sure that they had their homework and got dinner and into bed by 9:00 p.m.  I bought the kids a book called "All about Scabs" from Usborne books and I think that Maggie has had me read that for a bedtime story every night since we had them.

Wednesday morning Nathan was disappointed because David did not have his military ID so that meant that he had to come with me to get me on base.  He was not happy because he bought the kids wallets to keep them in and told them to carry it at all times.  We had to get up at 5:30 a.m. to get ready in time.  I was hoping to leave at 6:30 a.m. but it was 6:50 a.m. before we got away and so I was really worried that Isaac and Sammy would be late for school.  Luckily in the morning the traffic is not so busy that direction and so we were able to make it by 7:20 a.m and they had 10 minutes to spare.  So every one made it on time.  We got home about 9:00 a.m. after dropping off the other two.

Marcy's son Kilor showing off his completion

Wednesday afternoon we thought that we would be okay if we left a 4:30 p.m. to get everyone picked up and get to the church by 6:30 p.m. but we were wrong.  We just barely picked up David at 6:30 p.m. and it takes 20 minutes to get to the church from the base.  We ended up being 20 minutes late and most of the ceremonies were completed when we got there.  It was really embarrassing.  I guess we have to plan to leave at 3:30 p.m. for something like that.  It is so frustrating how the traffic is at that time of night.

Thursday morning I thought I had my alarm set but when Nathan got up at 6:00 a.m. I looked at my phone and realized that somehow my phone had been changed to only ring every other day.  Larry got up to help me that day and he cooked breakfast while I got ready.  We got out the door by the 6:50 a.m. but it was a scamper to do so.  We got everyone to school on time but basically just a few minutes later than the day before.

Marcy and Nathan in Colorado

Driving back Nathan and I got in a fight because he was so rude to me in front of the kids and he told me I could not drive his van anymore because he thinks I am a bad driver so Larry said he would not drive for him either because he was backing me up.  So he talked his housekeeper into driving him to get the kids that night and being with him.  Larry and I went to eat at Joe's Crabshack to help me calm down and then we took a lanyard that Isaac wanted for school to Sara while the kids were with Nathan.  Nathan stayed at his apartment he rented in Converse that night, even though it has no furniture,and his housekeeper brought him home on Friday after we went to the office.  I was heartbroken but I was also aware that Nathan has to become independent sometime and I guess that he is doing that now.

Nathan riding the gondola

Friday after lunch I went home and helped Nathan pack.  He was leaving the next day for Colorado.  We also made him some lunch.  Larry decided if he wasn't going to let us drive that we would go to visit John and Judy Friday night instead of Saturday afternoon so we got packed up and left on Friday.  I had the moving Elder check on Nathan in the morning to see if he needed anything but he said that he had someone to take him to the airport.

Nathan's first night in Colorado

Saturday I was emotionally exhausted and ended up sleeping for part of the afternoon.  When I woke up Judy and I went and met John and Larry at a restaurant in the area and we had a great mid afternoon dinner for a couple of hours.

Sunday John was really sick so he and Judy stayed home while we went to church.  He wasn't feeling much better when we returned.  I was worried about him.  We had a quick lunch with some of his good Texas Chili (no beans) and then we came back to the apartment