Mission Memories... Then and Now

My favorite mission companion Tracy Davis Larsen and I went to lunch the other day. We served together for 6 months in a tiny, old, pretty gross apartment above a karate studio in Wellington, Ohio almost 22 years ago (yikes!)

I found an awesome picture of us serving together in the Ohio Cleveland Mission in June 1987. Notice the hair is a bit bigger and there aren't any wrinkles yet, but the smiles are still the same.

We met a very good friend in Wellington, Amy Young, who was 17 and just graduating from high school. Her family was Catholic but they were so kind to us and very fun to be with. Amy didn't join the church but she listened to the discussions and felt the spirit on several occasions.
(This is a picture of a zone conference where we played baseball and had a BBQ. Amy came with us.) What is with those flowered pants I have on??!

When my mission was over I brought a couple of friends home with me to So. California so they could meet my parents and see the sights. I think they even drove to Utah with me too... Amy is on the left along with another friend Celeste Bates (she joined the church along with her brother and they both served missions).

I miss the life of a missionary... I think spending time in Atlanta with my sis made me think of the wonderful experiences and memories I will hold dear forever! (Thanks Tracy and Amy for being a big part of those...)

PAY IT FORWARD

"The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a handmade gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. There's a small catch though...Post this same thing on your own blog and then come back and leave a comment telling me you're in. Remember, only the first 3 comments receive the gift!"

(I SO want something from my niece since she is amazing in everything she does so I am willing to do the same for 3 others... can't promise it will be AS amazing, but it will be something...!)

The Devil Went Down to Georgia...

... OR Georgia on my mind (depends on my personality that day). My parents and I went to visit my sister Michelle, husband Steve and son Connor for 5 days in Lilburn, Georgia. My dad always takes his "girls" to Market Street Grill for a Valentines Lunch and slides us a $100 bill to spend "only on ourselves." With Michelle's husband serving as mission president of the Atlanta North Mission until July 2011, my dad said we were going to lunch in Atlanta this year! Very fun visit--very fun time!

...I was impressed with the homes in Lilburn and surrounding areas--big, spacious and lovely--all for about the cost of a lot in Bountiful! Loved the weather too...

...Sister King at work in her home office.

...President King at work in the mission office.

...Lake Lanier--great recreational destination in the summer (reminded me a lot of Pineview).

...Stone Mountain (5 min. from my sister's house) was very cool. Didn't realize the guy who began this project (wasn't the one that actually finished it) was the same person that did Mt. Rushmore.

... mom and Michelle LOVE watching CNN and know all the broadcasters, journalists and commentators SO we had to do the CNN Studio Tour.

...visiting Centennial Park after CNN and before the World of Coke. (Look how tall Connor is--15 years and growing!)

...saying goodbye at the Atlanta airport after 5 days of fun and visiting... (love the hair and humidity)

My Best Friend...

Who knew that the dog that I never wanted would attach himself to me, follow me everywhere, sleep at the foot of my bed and become my best friend???

If I am working in the laundry room or hanging up clothes in the kids' bedrooms, he will find a comfy spot to sleep until... he hears me walk out of the room and he jumps up and follows me to my next chore!

Even now as I'm typing he is sitting at my feet until... I get up to pick up the elementary school carpool where he will join me on the armrest next to my seat!

Prom

Hillary went to the Jr. PROM tonight with Tyler Stahle. He plays basketball for WXHS (notice his height even with her 4-inch heels). She dislikes the obligatory PICTURE-TAKING before leaving for a dance but knows there is no way out of it. The follow-up 15 minute CONVERSATION between John and her date is equally unsettling to her. She'll probably get her dad back by extending her CURFEW... I'm just happy there are only two more DANCES this year--Sweethearts (girl's choice) in Feb. and Sr. Prom (boy's choice) in the Spring. That means we're getting close to being finished with walking, shopping, trying on, and buying, dresses. Yay! It amazes me that a girl can't wear the same DRESS with a different guy to a different dance even in a different year. What is that???! We've been lucky to find many good deals at Dillard's that both MOM and DAUGHTER have been HAPPY and SATISFIED with (thank goodness). The great thing is that Hillary will now have many dresses to take with her to COLLEGE next year!

What we did during our days off from school...

... finished Grayson's Science Fair poster (whew!)

... finished the final draft of Hillary's Sterling Scholar Portfolio (DOUBLE whew!)

Garrett's Happy Day!

Garrett finally passed the test and got his driver's permit. He wants to go out driving all the time and of course mom is the one available to go with him (he's actually a good driver--thank goodness)! So now we begin the 40 hours of supervised driving until he turns 16 next November...

Garrett also had a very eventful New Year's Eve with a small party at our house until 12:30 am. Hillary went out with friends until 1, Hailey went to a party at a friend's until 1 and Grayson went to a friend's house til 10. John and I got through watching about half of "Mama Mia" before taking a catnap but woke up in time to say Happy New Year and have a toast with Grayson, take kids home, wait for kids to come home and of course, clean up the mess 8 teenagers can make with food, confetti, bubbles and poppers!

Happy New Year!!!