Still Not Dead

Ok, so clipping right along with our list. We've managed to complete all the Thanksgiving things, and even throw in some inaugural Black Friday Shopping for me (which has me saying shopping for some people is actually finished and just needs to be wrapped and shipped; yea for Black Friday and on-line shopping!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

HOWEVER....

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday after Thanksgiving I was down with the cold that's going around and knocking everyone out for several days. It's been almost a week and I'm doing better but not my normal better for this long after a cold hits.

On top of the personal stuff going on more is added to my plate during the work hours; holiday luncheon (two days and two nights--gotta provide for the shift workers too), a blood drive, a food & toy drive, plus whatever other projects creep up on me before the Holidays are over.

Additionally, Dan has the 23-26 off of work. I have just the 24th & 25th (odd I know but that's how it is). We're now contemplating the idea of me taking of the 23rd & 26th off so we can go visit family for Christmas.

Nature has many who snuggle down and hibernate for winter, I'm thinking that's top on my list for Spring this year!

We're Not Dead Yet!

A few weeks ago I added the countdowns for Sid and Amanda to our sidebar. If only those were all we had going on right now. Here's the list:

1. Speak in Church-DONE
2. Dan Teach Priesthood-DONE
3. Prepare for Amanda & Jake's arrival-WORKING ON IT...
4. Amanda & Jake coming for Thanksgiving-THIS WEEK!
5. Make assignments for Thanksgiving dinner-STILL GOTTA SHOP FOR ALL THE INGREDIENTS
6. Thanksgiving with the Horrocks-THIS WEEK!
7. Christmas Preparations-MOST OF THE DECORATIONS ARE UP AND SHOPPING STARTED BUT STILL SO MUCH TO DO.
8. Ward Christmas Party-WE'RE THE CO-CHAIRS!
9. Stake Conference Choir-WANT GOOD SEATS FOR THE VISITING AUTHORITIES THERE TO CHANGE THE STAKE PRESIDENCY
10. Christmas
11. New Year's
12. Pocatello for Sid's return
13. Horrocks Couple Shower for Amanda-AND PREP IN HERE SOMEWHERE
14. Salt Lake for Amanda's Wedding
15. Morgan for Amanda's Reception
16. Pocatello for Amanda's Open House

And that takes us from today through the end of February without mentioning work, callings, and anything else that comes up or I've forgotten.

I promise I'm not trying to say we're busier than anyone else, just lots on our plate right now so the blog may remain as is for awhile longer. I'll try to sneak in a post or two but no guarantees...

Caution: Laughter Likely

We just received an email from Sid letting us know his 5th and final area for his mission--Rugby, ND to open a new area and train a new missionary! (Or for the next 6 weeks at least, I suppose he could have one more transfer but it's not likely as they usually train a new Elder for 2 transfers.) Here's a little from Sid's letter regarding this new transfer:

"I've been given a special assignment. Rugby, ND is a new branch and the area has never seen missionaries before. I will literally be going in and starting from scratch. And I'll be with a new missionary! Rugby is...almost literally in the middle of nowhere...This is missionary work at its rawest and purest form. President Layton told me that he spent a lot of time fasting and praying about who he was to trust with the assignment of opening this area and getting the work started there. I am honored to be trusted with this assignment."

I looked for Rugby on our map . At first I could only find Minot (next closest area in his mission) but thanks to Google Maps, I was able to figure out which direction to look to find his new area. It's an almost 11 hour drive from Casper (his current area) to his new area and just over an hour's drive to Minot. He thinks he's closer to Canada than Minot but again using Google Maps it looks like Minot is about 2 hours drive closer than the Canadian border.

He included a few pictures with his quick note. This one had me laughing out loud because there seems to be an appropriateness to it!

 

Maybe that seemed so appropriate after seeing pictures like these from his most recent 4-some companionship:

Sid's view from inside the bathroom...

(Can you find all three Elder's faces?)

The view from outside the bathroom...

(They are either super fast or Sid was in there for a VERY long time..)

I'm so excited for our goofball to come home! Only 89 days from today until Sid is home!

Bahaha & LOL

A few weeks ago, we bought these postcards on our return drive from visiting Amanda. They made us laugh out loud so I thought I'd share them for you to enjoy as well. (Late one night while I was contemplating what to write on the backs, I reread these and had to stifle my laughter so I didn't awaken Dan.)

One of our funnest and favorite date nights!

Dan has his third interview with them next week.

Earthly Moments Eternal Glimpses

This cute little girl:

Grew into this beautiful woman:

Who went here for the first time on Saturday:

Resulting in a glorious day!

Presidential Contemplations

Several weeks ago I drove past this billboard and thought of Sid:

I sent a copy to Sid and asked him to label each person for us so we'd know who was which companion. He just called dibs on Thomas Jefferson.

About the same time I took my picture, Sid took this one:

What a wing-nut.