San Antonio Trip

We decided to use our free Sea World San Antonio passes one last time.  Dave's sister Lindsay and her family joined us.  We had a great time despite the fact that on the way home Dave's car threw a rod and Mazda doesn't want to have anything to do with it because we didn't service our car with them.  Apparently a manufacturing defect isn't something they cover if they can find a way out of it.  Anyway . . . more on that another time.  Here are some pictures.

The green eyed monster

I have a big problem . . . I am envious of others who have things I want.  To me there is nothing worse than watching someone get exactly what I want, especially if they don't really want it in the first place.  I know that the Lord is in control and will give me things at the "right" time but it still sucks right now.  I hate giving up control SO MUCH! 

That's all.  Hopefully with that out I can move on and find other things to focus on.  Sigh.

Gary Randall

Just over 2 weeks ago a dear family friend named Gary Randall died.  I want to pay tribute to him a bit and just mention what he meant to me.  Gary was the only home teacher that I really remember from my childhood.  He came each month and although there was a time when he served in a Spanish Branch in our area he was still a constant in my life.  When my parents got divorced and my dad proceeded to leave our church Gary was the one who filled in where there was a void.  I don't know that he was ever asked to or if he just saw the void and did what he could to fill it.  Between he and my brothers I think that, all things considered, I didn't miss out on as much as I would have otherwise.  Even though there was not always a priesthood holder in my home I knew there was one 5 minutes away who would come when ever he was asked.  After I had a bad car accident he was there to give me a blessing of comfort and a chocolate bunny to ease my pain.  I was lucky enough to have him seal my husband and I for time and all eternity and that will always be something that is a tender mercy for me.  My dad wasn't worthy of being there but Gary was.

He will always be special to me.  A second father or sorts or at least a grandpa to me and I will miss his positive influence in my life.  I will be eternally grateful for his love and kindness and how he helped me grow into the person I am today.  I will try to be a better visiting teacher to honor him and his memory.  Thank you Gary.  You made a little girl/young woman's life brighter and happier because you were in it.  I love you!

Nursery Boy

Last Sunday I decided to start putting Elijah into nursery at church during the 3rd hour.  He's not quite old enough but the nursery leader has told me to go ahead whenever so I did.  He had a lot of fun.  He had no clingy tendencies and when I peaked in during snack time he was such a big boy sitting at the table with the rest of the kids.  I'm so proud of my big boy.

Halloween

This year we did a lot for Halloween.  I didn't take many pictures but here are a few of my cute little puppy.

On the Friday before Halloween we went to our church's Halloween party where there was a potluck, carnival games and a trunk or treat.  We had lots of fun and were glad grandma and grandpa Figgins came too.  They got to witness Elijah finally getting good at saying "thank you".
The next day we went to grandma and grandpa Figgins church Halloween party where there was a chili cook off and trunk or treating.  Grandma's "swamp punch" was a big hit.  From the moment the trunk or treating started there was a line up of kids wanting to sample the punch with dry ice and rubber bugs in it.  It was a lot of fun.
On Halloween David stayed home and passed out candy while I took Elijah to a few houses to trick or treat.  He said thank you to everyone and said buhbye to them the entire walk down the driveway while I pulled him on so he didn't try to run back to the house we just went to.  I think next year he will be a pro.