From Mom November 1, 2015

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Dear Riley,

It’s Grandpa P’s birthday today and we are having the big family birthday celebration later tonight since Grandma and Grandpa are going out to visit D and then going up to see J in DC this week. C is here visiting Cambry while his family is in their church meetings. Dad’s over blessing Bro. M who will not be with us much longer, then Dad heads back to tithing settlement which began today. The kids are recovering from probably the second most exciting holiday of year. I’m sitting on the couch in a semi-aware state. But I’m still fasting, so it’s hard to gauge if my fatigue is from hunger or exertion. Likely it’s both.

When Halloween is on Saturday we essentially have a two-day holiday. This year I didn’t worry or even work on costumes, go figure. But I went to the parade in my hippie get-up and Josie wore her Kevin from UP costume. She was very disappointed that no one commented on her costume. So she tried on a couple other ones before deciding to wear the pig costume for the trunk or treat that night.

I went back to the school for Aleah’s party. Four other mom’s had already signed up and knew what they wanted to do, so I just decided as the room mother to show up and help where needed. I took along toilet paper for the mummy relay game just in case and it was perfect because one of the crafts was super short so we split the time. It was a fun party and the kids were very well behaved.

Parker made a big Halloween splash at the High School. He changed his costume each period and lunch for a total of five changes. They are going to cover the story in the school paper and asked him to wear all the costumes over Monday morning so they can document it.

Friday night DJ had a lip-synching party. He realized they were going to exceed the fire code allowed number of visitors, so he asked Grandma if he could have it a her house. She graciously took it on, but she went down and watched a movie. There were a lot of people there and five awards decided by two of DJ’s appointed judges. C won classiest (he synched David Archuleta’s Crush) and Cambry won most lyrically en pointe. Dad, who dressed up as a hippie as well, talked me into lip synching Simon and Garfunkel’s Groovy. I haven’t listened to that song in years. Dad was great, I was terrible.

Yesterday everything continued. We are expecting snow this week so we pulled out the garden, helped the ward clean up the B’s yard as they have their house on the market, went back outside to complete the garden. Then Dad and I took a quick, hard ride on the canal. I’ve decided that biking is like repentance for my body, I feel swept clean inside. Then we finished the garage to the point that I can park my car. Dad and J launched the rocket again, this time it worked.

Parker had a party at our house last night. Though he was working in the yard, at the B’s, and in the garage, the house wasn’t ready when they left to launch the rocket, but I was out in the garage. I was so overwhelmed when I came back into the crazy house one hour before. Every room was overrun with holiday festivities and only Elise had done her chores. Cambry and Elise got up and helped pull the house together. C helped too, even running to the store to buy milk for dinner. We’re liking him around here.

Elise had a vocal concert this week. The thing she was most nervous about was that she turned the pages for SC when she accompanied another choir. Oh, how I love my cute kids. It was a good concert, but Elise was disappointed in the performance all together.

OK, I’m fed, and I’m still so tired. I’m sorry. It’s Daylight Savings here. I went to put the pork roast in the crock pot at 11:30 last night and the roast was spoiled so I had to run to the store. I got to bed so late.

Oh, yes, Sis H is wondering if you will be at the transfer meeting to get the stuff I’m sending to you. I figured you would be… I hope you will.

I hope Sister Ding Doi is recovering well and you are making good progress with your ward and investigators. Can’t wait to hear about your week and how you’re doing. I feel the anniversary upon us and the sudden switch to last such and such until you’re home. That feels good. I love the gospel you're sharing, Riley. Keep inviting. Work with your companion. Listen to the whispers of the Spirit. Leave it all in the field.

I love you,
Mom