Mission Reunion

I left for my mission on November 24, 1999. The call was to the Nebraska Omaha Mission with the Winter Quarters Visitors Center. Every year we have a summer reunion with all the senior couples and sisters that served. I am lucky enough to literally live right next door to the couple that was my visitor center director and wife. The Nilson's!!! I love them dearly. These pictures are of us sisters trying to get together for a pose with all of us and our kids. There were six of us. Wow!! Kids!! We all have them and some are even expecting more.....most of them are girls! Memories are shared, new ones are made, and the bond never seems to fade..only gets stronger. Good times and what a fun night. Love to all!!






This is Jami and her husband Rob. I couldn't help but share this one with his smile. Makes me smile and giggle when I see it. Don't even remember what it was about!:)


This is me and Jami and our kids. She and I were MTC companions and served in the same mission, but never as companions.

So good, I have to share

There is this website that I use for so many of my meals and ideas. I have to share it with you. It is on my page, you can click on it there or go to www.melskitchencafe.com.
Let me know what you think!! I love her recipes!
Enjoy

Catherine's cast and 4th of July

On Friday, June 18th, at approximately 9 am, Catherine fell off my bed and broke her arm. I was sitting right there with her and Lauren. I play the scene over and over in my head on how I should have prevented it, however, it is what it is and she now has a darling pink cast to match most of her wardrobe!! She is such a champ and was so great during all of it and still is. The cast will come off on July 28th, but it is waterproof so there is no stopping us from having fun this summer, as you can see from the pictures.
Over the 4th of July weekend, we went to Bear Lake with Randy's family. We had so much fun despite the freezing water! Saturday we were on the boat and the girls loved it and especially being with their cousins. We played in the sand and beach, went swimming in the pool, and Lauren went down the slide and swam in the water all by herself. (life jacket on of course) She is really getting independent. I have to remember to let her do that, and make sure I give her wings to fly, and be prepard for a few falls. Anyway, it was fun.

These are Catherine showing off her cast! she'll never remember this even happened, so I have to have lots of proof!



This was taken right when she got home from the hospital with the temporary cast on! Still all smiles!


Daddy and Catherine at the pool.


Lauren braving the freezing temps of the lake. She kept going in too and coming out shivering so bad. All we had was Randy's shirt to put on her when she came out too. Bad planning on my part!


Catherine and Papa!!


At the beach!!



Boating!!


Cousins!!


Grandma Janet and Catherine!!

A Bugs Ball- Lauren's Dance Recital

On tuesday night, Lauren had her end of year dance recital called "A Bug's Ball." She performed the part of a beautiful butterfly. These pictures are of us at home getting ready and then after with the family.
I was so extremely proud of her. you know those moments as a mother when your grin feels like it will rip through your cheeks. that kind of proud moment. She was darling and did her part great. The best was when she saw us in the audience, she smiled so big and all the sudden, her movements were exaggerated just a bit for us!! Of course, they wont' let us take pics during the dance, but we ordered the video. She is a cutie and Catherine watched every step and clapped at all the right moments. She too will be a little dancer with some good rhythym.

enjoy!!

Gospel Doctrine Teacher

Remember my post a few months back that said I had been released from young womens? Well, I was and they also said I would be given a season of rest. About two months into my rest, I told them I could serve again where they needed me. It felt weird not serving in some capacity in the church.

I was thinking of activities committee, visiting teaching supervisor, or something of that sort. I also just got Catherine in nursery so I was finally able to attend Sunday School and Relief Society for the first time in 18 months. The gospel doctrine class was so wonderful, the two times I went. Now that it is Old Testament I was excited to sit in and learn. (learn being the key word!)

Ha!! I got a call from a bishopric member on Sunday the 23rd of May. He came over and extended the call to me to be a gospel doctrine instructor! What? Really? Me? Are you sure? Were all of my questions I immediately asked of him. It's the Old Testament I told him. Yes, he said, it is. Oh man. I didn't know what to say. I said I would talk it over with Randy since he was out of town and get back to him. I immediately went to my room, shut the door, and knelt and prayed. That was all I could do right then. for some people, teaching gospel doctrine would be a dream calling. it was intimidating to me. Our ward is very mature and wise and older. well, they're wonderful. but, ok. If this is really where they needed me, I will serve.

Now, they needed me to teach that next Sunday!!! holy cow!! Ok, I will serve. it was the sunday I got sustained and taught right after. I was so busy that week reading, studying, reviewing with Randy, and praying. I went to the temple on monday and just prayed like crazy that the spirit would be there for me. I am weak when it comes to lots of gospel knowledge, so i needed him there.

He was! The lesson was on Ruth!! yippee!! i like that book. it went well. now this sunday the lesson is on Saul, Samuel, and David. At least i've had two weeks to prepare!

Wish me luck!!

Girls, girls, girls!!!

So my very good friend, Brooklyn, was so kind to take these pictures of my girls at Sugarhouse Park. Professional looking huh? she has such amazing talent and I thank you so much brooklyn!
I couldn't believe that they acutally smiled, well, Lauren always does I guess. Catherine, you never know what looks you might get!!:) Lauren was actually posing on her own, as you can tell with the tilted head. She always does that....and no i didn't teach her that!!
It doesn't seem like I can get enough pictures these days beacause to me they are growing up so fast.

I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I do!!
Happy summer!!!












Love, Lauren and Catherine

Mother's Day in Las Vegas

Happy Mother's Day to all my cute mama friends and family. I love you!! I also love these cute girls and handsome man of mine. They spoiled me this weekend. we drove to Las Vegas on Friday, and came home on Sunday. Who do you know that will drive 6 hours just to swim and have warm weather? Well, we do!! We love going down to visit and we had only one plan.......swim!! That is all that we did too! From the time we got in at 3 til we left on sunday was spent pool side. Randy's parents have a second home down there that is available for use, so we love to visit. My Lauren has turned into quite the swimmer and loves the water. She did not want to get out. This is the first time she swam all be herself, life jacket attached of course!! Catherine, is my daredevil. she would have dove in head first if I would have let her. She has no fear that girl.

We had a great time! Thanks to Randy for making it so great and my sweet girls for their unconditional love.