Week of December 31, 2012

Hello and happy Sunday! 

This day has been a wonderful day.  We started 9:00am church today.  That isn’t the good part…until we get home at noon and have the rest of the day left! It was also fast and testimony meeting day.  It is also the first week of the year, which means all the Primary changes to new classes and teachers.  We (the Primary Presidency) have been working to prepare for this and have been anticipating all the new changes.  I’m also responsible for the lesson all month in Sharing Time. 

We sat in Sacrament meeting (a meeting, which you all know I enjoy very much) and I noticed that Michael Robertson and his wife were still here (the last few days before heading back to school in Boston).  Such a fun thing to see the kids come back to the ward with their spouses and families.  They have a little baby boy named Mica who looks just like Scotts two boys. 

Anyway, during the testimony time, Michael got up and bore a sweet and simple testimony.  I don’t remember much of what he had to say, except that it made me feel the Spirit.  I love it when Michael does that!  Anyway, part of what he said was, of course that he grew up in this Ward.  Well, there was a lull in the meeting and the Spirit worked on me.  I had to get up.  I bore my testimony of thankfulness for “normal” and “every day” things and people.  I spoke about the “week to week” process of coming to church and preparing to teach in our regular callings.  I spoke about those who are willing to come day after day to teach our children.  I am grateful for the blessing of staying in a Ward for 25 years so that I could watch these kids grow from infancy to childhood to teenagers and then to adults who were able to benefit from those who are willing to show up each week and teach.  Those who give a hand to the kids who can lean on their testimonies until the kids are strong and mature enough to stand on their own and then take on their lives, finding good companions and then bringing up their own families week by week.  It was so fun to stand and be grateful for “normal”. 

Well, I hope your week has been good.  Drew, I hope your life has settled a bit and you are getting your grounding.  Adam, I am excited to hear about the new families in your life and in your new area.  Both of you, tell us about your new surroundings.  What are your new Wards like?  Your new bishop?  How about your new companions?  I don’t remember their names…

Speaking of companions, our Elder Peterson got up in testimony meeting today to give his last testimony.  He is going home.  The bad part of having the AP’s in our ward is that they seem to leave for home too frequently.  Of course, when you have that kind of responsibility, it is usually your last area, so we expect to be the ones to send them home.  After the block today, I asked him when he is leaving and he looked at his watch and said, “In a matter of a few hours!”  What an exciting time. 

Oh, and Elder Laurence (he left in about October to go home) is engaged!  Sheesh!  These boys waste no time.  I hear that Elder Peterson has a girl waiting too, so we’ll see what happens for him. 

Well, New Year’s Eve for us was spent at the Dunlops home playing chicken foot while all the kids were gone to dances.  It was fun and quiet.  Not much else happened this week.  Dad and Lainey helped me put all the Christmas decorations away on New Year’s Day.  The next time I get those out, Adam will be on his way home and Drew will be very short timing it!  It will be here again before we know it!  No more “two” of anything, just “last” of everything.  The last birthdays, Easters, July 4^th’s, Summers, Halloweens, etc. until you are both underfoot again!  What a bother you will be!  Hah!

Tonight (in just a few minutes from now) I am going to the first planning meeting for this year’s Stake Young Women’s camp.  Can’t wait to find out the theme this year.  Then I’ll be planning the crafts again.  I’m excited to get going on it again. 

When we came back from North Bend last week, the Explorer started acting up even more than before.  Dad says the transmission is on its last legs.  He is looking to replace it in the next few weeks.  Something new to take all our energy and money!  At least Dad thinks he can do it so it will save us a lot in labor costs. 

Speaking of cars, Seth Carstens’ mission papers have been submitted and Grace Huskey’s are just about ready.

Brad, are you back in Savannah again?  How was your trip to DC?  Looks like you had fun!   

No photos to share this week.  Kind of a slow photo week!

Have a great week!  Can’t wait to hear from you!

 

Week of December 24, 2012

Happy New Year!  Let Adam's Blackout year ends and Drew's begins!  We're making progress!  

Speaking of counts, on my phone, I have count downs for all of you boys and a count UP for Annie's clean days.  Drew and Annie traded places yesterday!  Drew was at 413 and Annie was at 412.  Today, Drew was 412 and Annie was 413!  Happy passing day!  I've added a countdown for Brad now for when he separates from the Army.  I guess he'll be the next one to pass Annie in days.  I'll let you know when that will happen.  It must have happened with Adam, but I wasn't paying attention! Brad has 560 days left of Army life.... so 75-ish days from now, he and Annie will pass each other!  

Enough of that counting stuff.

It was great hearing from all of you on Christmas!!!!!  In some ways, though, it makes me miss you more, but I wouldn't ever have missed it!  In spite of power outages and changing around of houses and computers!  (Drew, Adam went through a power outage during out hangout, so he had to change to another location and call again.  Then when the power came back they switched again!).

It was fun to see Adam and Brad!

Adam, I got to see a little about what you mean by the members continuing to offer you food, even when you don't want anymore!  I'm glad you are being well fed, though.  Even if you don't have food sometimes in the evenings.  I think in America, we could just tell the families that they need to be more considerate of your meals, but there, I guess it's different.  

So, as you might have figured out by now, I belong to a few LDS Missionary and Military Moms Google lists and we are all moms who are awaiting our children while they are serving and we help each other with problems/questions along the way from receiving the call to coming home.  One of the Brazilian missionary moms said that her son came home with a "tie tan".  That is the sun shone so bright, that it went through his shirt and garment top except where his tie was!  Any experience with that one????  I thought it was pretty funny.  So did a bunch of other moms!  

Also, there is a mom of a missionary in Guatemala City Central who also has a son that served in Portland and served most of his mission in the Beaverton area.  Drew do you know a missionary named Michael Rose?  His brother Timothy served here.  I didn't meet him, but it was fun to share that with their mom.  

Some of the moms have said that their Brazilian missionaries are suffering some pretty bad skin ailments while they've been out.  Elder Dallin Russell, I guess has had problems with it.  Do you know him?  Anyway, just a connection with the other moms is kind of fun.  

I still need to call Elder Morgan back in Hillsboro and connect with him for Adam!

So, right now, we are in North Bend.  We came down on Thursday and will go back tomorrow (Monday) so that Lainey can attend the New Year Dance.  We were able to see Lynn and all her kids and grand kids   It was fun!  Those kids are adorable and very friendly.  Myla will be going to Kindergarten this fall!!  Annie and Nick borrowed a car from a friend and came down last night so they got to see everyone too.  They woke up to a flat tire this morning and had to spend most of the day dealing with that today before they headed home.  I'm waiting to hear from them that they arrived safely.  It was a fast trip for them, but it was what they could do.  Annie has not been able to get two straight days in a row off.  They already depend on her way too much and have a lot of flaky employees.  Annie is their dependable one!!!! Yeah!!

Well, have a safe and happy new year!  I look forward to your emails this week!

Love you!

Mom

Week of December 16, 2012

Merry Christmas!!

I hope you are having a wonderful time this week and enjoying some holiday cheer. 

We are staying pretty quiet this year, as you know.  We will enjoy Christmas Eve fondue and then Christmas morning we will open a few gifts and wait for time to share calls with you! 

That will be the best gift I get this year.  Hearing your voices is all I need. 

I think we will go to North Bend on Wednesday and hang there until Sunday.  Then we have to be back in time for the new year dance that Lainey must go to!  The rest of the holiday, we will just chill!  Dad goes back to work on Wednesday, the 2^nd and Lainey and I go back on Monday the 7^th. 

Last week was a busy week of pre-holiday bustle.  Lainey had secret Santa gifts to give, I had work potlucks, etc.  We were done on Thursday this year, with a budget reduction day on Friday.  That forced the band to change the all-night party plan.  Mr. Dunlop was told we couldn’t use the building at all this year, since they don’t want the public to think we are using the facilities on a non-budget day.  We also were told we could not use school busses, either.  So, at the band’s expense, we had to transport the students using private tour busses.  Even though it was expensive, we had a good time.  We went to Bullwinkle’s Family Fun Center and had the run of the place for four hours.  

      (Lainey in a go cart!)

Then we went to the Washington Square Mall where we did a scavenger hunt.  The mall security was all over us!  After that, we went to Zoo Lights.  Annie met us there with 10 trays of sub sandwiches and 15 trays of cookies!  After that, we did have permission to drop the kids back off at the school so that we could visit with our alumni students for a bit.  That was fun.  Several kids showed up and it was fun to see them.  At that point, Dad told me we were leaving and he drove us downtown to a swanky hotel for the night for our anniversary.

 

That was fun!  We watched TV, which if you remember, we don’t have at home anymore! Then we slept in until I think around 11am the next day.  We slowly made our way home.  Went to lunch at The Elephants Deli, my personal favorite!   We found a low tire when we got to the car, so we had to deal with that, but it wasn’t that bad. 

Tonight (Sunday), we went caroling with the Dunlops.  Fun!

That was pretty much our week! 

Can’t wait to hear about yours!  And to talk to you on Christmas Day!

Love you all!!!

Week of December 10, 2012

Well, it is with a somber heart that I write to you today.  There were two separate instances that happened in our country this week that are terrible acts of violence which have made a huge impact on the mood and spirit of this season. 

Last Tuesday, someone entered the Clackamas Town Center and opened gun fire near the food court.  Two people were killed and one was seriously injured before the gunman killed himself.  Needless to say, since it was so close to home, our nerves were a little bit rattled and the news coverage was endless. 

Until Friday, when another gun man entered Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and opened fire on children and teachers at 9:30 in the morning.  The stories are just now unfolding, but there were 20 children killed and 6 adults, including the school principal and counselor.  It was found later that the shooter had previously shot and killed his own mother in her home prior to his going to the school.  This guy was 20 years old and rumors are that he suffered from Asperger syndrome. 

Many stories of heroism are coming out now and the news coverage is nonstop.  Needless to say, my afternoon at work last Friday was pretty hard. 

Earlier in the week, I absent mindedly left my library door unlocked (due to a series of unfortunate events)  and that night while a 7^th grade basketball event was happening in the gym, some kids decided to walk around the school and when they went into the library, they pulled two full shelves of books onto the floor and got into my stuffed toys above my cupboards, took down my SpongeBob toys and stole Patrick the starfish.  I wouldn’t feel so bad about it except those were toys that I borrowed from Lainey’s collection here at home.  Our principal and I figured out that they had also been in the cafeteria and helped themselves to chocolate milk and goldfish crackers.  The nerve!  Our principal has let facilities know that if anything else happens, they will not be allowed to play basketball in our gym after hours anymore. 

So, anyway, then on Wednesday, our principal announced his retirement!  He will be officially retired on January 1^st, but will be at the school until the end of the school year.  Bummer!

So, not a great week!!!!

I hope yours have been much better there!

We did something fun tonight, though!  Tim Ray was involved with the orchestra at the Portland Christian Center and they had their Christmas Concerts this week and last. Tim invited us to attend and I’m really glad we did.  We just got back.  Annie and Nick went with us as well as Lainey, Calais and Aaron.  We had fun.

We finally decorated the tree last night when we realized that if we didn’t, we wouldn’t have time to until next weekend. 

This coming week, Uncle Marty has double carpal tunnel surgery on Tuesday.  Grandma and Grandpa Inman are coming up tomorrow to go with him.  After he is discharged that afternoon, they are driving him straight to North Bend to recover.  It should be interesting for him.  No use of both arms for a couple of weeks…We hope to go down next week sometime to join them. 

Also on Tuesday is Century Band’s winter concert.  That should be fun.  I love to go watch. 

I think I told you that the adults in my family drew names this year to help keep the cost of gift giving down.  I drew Micque, so I decided to make her a table topper quilt for her dining table.  I finished it last night at about 2:00am.  I’m so tired today!  I wanted to be sure and have it ready for when Grandmas comes this week so she can take it back with her on Tuesday and have it under their tree on Christmas day.  Anyway, here’s the finished product:

Sorry for the bad photo.  The whites are bright white and the outside edge of the quilt is the blue star.  It should look fun on her round kitchen table.  Here’s a closer-up shot:

So Adam, will I get an email from you next week, or just wait for Christmas day?  Only 8 days left!!!!!!!!!!

I’m assuming we’ll get short calls in advance of Christmas to let us know when and what number to call Drew and confirm a time for Adam??  Just let us know and we’ll be more than happy to talk about it!

Sorry this email was a downer.  We’ll work on better news for next week!!

Love you tons and tons!!

Week of December 3, 2012

Well,

It seems the weeks just fly by, because here I am on a Sunday night and realized….I haven’t started an email to you yet!! 

Hmmmm.  Last week.  What did I do to spend my time???

Let me start by showing you a little show and tell.  This is a map of Brazil.  I found it while looking around in the storage room upstairs (formerly known as Adam and Drew’s bedroom, but it’s now FULL of 5 kids “stuff”).  Adam drew this when he was 11 years old!  Can you find your area on the map? 

Most of the rest of my time was spent sewing little circles of fabric.  The adults in the Inman family drew names for Christmas to save everyone money this year.  I drew Micque!  So, I am hand sewing her a little Americana style table topper.  I’ll show you a picture of it partly laid out on my bed.  It consists of about 300 little “yoyo” rounds all sewn together to make a star pattern in red, white, blue and gold. 

I’m about half way done with the little circles.  Grandma and Grandpa are coming up next weekend, so I’m trying to finish it by Saturday so I can send it back with them to North Bend. 

By the way, have I told you that Uncle Marty is scheduled to have double carpal tunnel surgery on the 18^th?  That’s right, both arms at once!  That’s why G&G Inman are coming up.  They are going to help him when he comes home from the hospital and then take him back to North Bend for the holidays while he recovers.  I don’t envy that one! 

Amanda Tomlinson announced her engagement this week:

Shanari Baird is expecting a baby! She’s about 18 weeks.  22 more to go! 

By the way Adam, Shelbie is still pregnant.  She has about 10 weeks to go.

We are still working at the tree lot.  This will be the last week.  We’ve had so many no-shows that Dad and I’ve been there a lot filling in.  So annoying!

Dad is sick, sick, sick.  With a cold.  He pushed through yesterday not feeling good, but never got out of bed today.  He took a shower and came into the kitchen for dinner, but that’s all we saw of him.  He’s already told us he’s not going to work tomorrow.  Must be nice.  I’ll probably catch the cold next and I’ll get to go to work anyway.  Looking forward to it!

Okay.  15 more days until my Christmas calls!!!!!  Best gifts ever!!! But I’m not excited or anything.  Why do you ask?? ;0)

That’s about it!!

I’m out!

Week of November 26, 2012

Well, Hmmmm.

What to tell you about last week. 

Monday-Tree Lot

Tuesday-Tree Lot, Annie caught a cold

Wednesday-Tree Lot

Thursday-Tree Lot

Friday-Tree Lot, Dad went to Nashville, Annie got sent home from work sick and told not to show up on Saturday either. Nick returned (finally) from Pendleton and should be home permanently until the spring.

Saturday-No tree lot!  Had to get a sub for a no-show at the tree lot, but avoided going there. Started some Christmas craft projects.

Sunday-Church, forgot to watch First Presidency Christmas Devotional! Went to Quatama Ward Priesthood preview, Dad returns home.

How’s that???? Not much to tell you!!

Our life (more like MY life) is all about the TREE LOT!

Oh, I got new glasses!  Two pair.  One for far and one for near.  Seems I need glasses to thread a needle now.  So annoying.  At least I can sit down and quilt if I want. 

Looking forward to hearing about what Adam’s transfer shaped up to be last week.  Hmmm.  Or was that this week?

I know!!!!!  SHAULANA is ENGAGED!!!!!!

Don’t know much.  Studying to be a police officer?  Met him in Louisiana where she’s going to school for her Master’s program. 

Now, there’s some news!

Week of November 19, 2012

Well, Happy Thanksgiving!  We have been stuffed to the gills since Thursday.  All the usual fare.  Except, we were low in numbers this year!  It was kinda quiet for Thanksgiving dinner, but alas.  Annie and Lainey did their best to make up for it.  Dad tried too…

Then, of course we went to the Macy’s Parade on Friday.  Dad went to Denver, though so for the first time in 9 years, he missed it.

And on Saturday…..?  I worked the day at the school helping to get the Christmas Tree lot ready. 

Drew, speaking of Gethsemanes… Elder Holland said this: “The road to Salvation always goes through Gethsemane and it will always require a journey to the summit of Calvary. If we say we’re disciples of Christ, we walk where He walked, we feel what He felt, we pray the way He prayed, and we shed the tears He shed, at least in some proportion; in some symbol. I do not know what it means to say the we’re disciples of Christ but I don’t want to do what He did, I don’t want to feel what He felt, but oh, boy, I’m in it! I’m right here, shoulder to the wheel!  I don’t think that will work. I think the invitation is always ‘Come Follow Me.’ 

“My convictions and my feelings for the Savior of the World have been borne in the most desperate hours of my life.  When I wondered whether the sun would ever come up again.  It seemed to come up for other people. It seemed to come up  every morning for everybody else I could see, but not for me. Now, it isn’t always like that, and it’s not supposed to always be like that and we’re  a little self-pitying if we act like it’s always like that but some parts of the discipleship require that walk.  Basically His walk.”

This was a tearfully delivered talk that really spoke to me after you expressed your feelings last week.   Thank you for that.

There was a sweet little boy named Logan Holt in Primary today who gave a talk on preparing to serve a mission.  After he was done, I told him I liked the scripture that he gave.  It was Alma 29:15.  “Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their reward!” I told him that I have two sons serving missions right now and asked if I could share his scripture with you.  He smiled and said yes. 

I hope you go into the Christmas season with a smile in your heart.  I am so proud of all my sons and am always looking forward to hearing from each of you!  Only 29 days until our Christmas chat!