Monday, July 19, 2010

We Must Be Getting Old

Elias turned 12 last week.  Wow do Caleb and I feel old!  The thing he wanted most for his birthday is a .243 hunting rifle.  We were unable to purchase a gun in Idaho because we're not residents here so we owe him one as soon as we get back to Texas. Turning twelve is  monumental on it's own but in addition he was also ordained a Deacon on Sunday.  It took a little work to get all the proper documentation to have him ordained outside of our home ward but thanks to a great Bishop in TX and great Branch President here in ID it all went smoothly.  The Branch President wanted us to do it before church started so that Elias would be able to help support their small group of young men pass the Sacrament.  We thought that sounded like a great idea. So 5 min. before church started Elias went up to sit on the front row and asked what he needed to do.  He was basically told, "your isle is that one" and that was it.  I have to say he did great with basically no instruction.  I guess he actually has been paying attention to how things are done.  I'm sure in a couple weeks when we get back to Houston he'll get a thorough instruction session.  In RS meeting the lesson yesterday was ironically on the Priesthood.  The teacher was an awesome lady who in looks and mannerisms reminded me of Kathy Bates.  She made a comment that for some years now she's been a widow and not had the Priesthood in her home.  She said that there is a marked difference from the time when the Priesthood was there and when it wasn't.  It occurred to me that as Caleb travels (which is frequently) our family has missed that presence in our home as well.  I'm so excited that we'll now have Elias as a Priesthood holder to fill in for Caleb when he's gone.  It won't be long before Isaac is right there too.  We're so proud of Elias and the decisions he's been making.  It's sad to think that he's 12 now and we really only have 6 more years with him before he'll be off on a mission and then to college.  Guess we better make the best of these next few years!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Vacation and Anniversary

I think Tami is just about to the end of her rope at the cabin.  She has learned more things this summer than she ever cared to know about boat motors, snakes, fishing etc.  For some reason, none of those things were ever on her list of things you must learn before you die.  After talking to her on the phone tonight, I can tell that she is pretty frazzled and we may have stayed a little long this year.  She keeps telling me that we only have 2 weeks left at the cabin.  That makes her pretty happy but I could spend every day up there. 

We were on vacation one time over our anniversary.  We were having so much fun in the water that I completely forgot.  Tami didn't forget but she made sure she didn't say a word until I was just about asleep from the crazy day of water sports.  She leaned over and said, "Happy Anniversary!!!"  Those are not excited explanation points, they are mad ones.

This year, I decided I better do something early or else I would forget.  I did get a little coaching from a friend so I can't take all the credit.  Tami won't be able to read this until I get to the cabin with my phone so while she reads, she will find out that I got her two tickets to see Wicked in New York on September 18th.  Happy Anniversary Tami.  I can't believe we have been married for 13 years.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Just Pictures...lots and lots!

I don't have a lot of time to blog so I'm just going to post some pictures.  We're sitting in the burb outside the Indian Reservation IT center stealing some free wireless so I'll update later.