home alone on halloween

I've never hired a babysitter before for Halloween night, so this year was a first. Frankly it's not a bad idea, except that Max and Marcos ate literally all their candy in a two hour block. Wilson was in charge of handing out candy but played video games at high volume and surprisingly, never heard the doorbell.

The reason we hired a babysitter this year was because I was asked to speak on family unity at the Saturday night session of stake conference. Ironic. Not only were we missing trick or treating with our kids, but also the wedding reception for Kelly Frederickson with all the extended family. I accepted the speaking assignment thinking I needed to prepare a talk for someone else. What I now understand is that Heavenly Father gave me a speaking assignment to ensure our attendance at the meeting. It had to have been one of the top 5 most spiritual meetings we have ever been to. It was a powerful compensation for a small sacrifice. It felt like a spiritual booster shot. Hope a spiritual "H1N1 Swine Flu" is not imminent.

Although we missed the reception, we were able to attend the endowment session and temple ceremony for Kelly and Holden. It was an amazing blessing to have been able to attend the temple twice in a week, especially while trying to prepare for a talk. Today the temple president quoted Elder Kikuchi saying, "after you grasp the iron rod it will lead you directly through the open doors of the temple to the tree of life." We are inspired to learn in the Lord's university more often.

Marcos said a crystal-clear four word sentence this evening that we all understood perfectly: "Bye Bye stinky butt face." We are so proud of his emerging language.

Auntie Jill had a very creative costume this halloween. She was a pregnancy test stick-- a Positive! Two new babies coming to our family right on the heels of sweet Kolby. What good news.

Tony has been overwhelmed with work. I know we are being blessed to pay for the remodel, but it's been a tough couple of weeks. We are back to living like we did at the beginning of practice. The hospital insists that he stay within 20 minutes; no coming home to sleep and long weekends without Daddy for call.

Reason #1006 I love living in St John: We have a wonderful new bakery where Tony and I could get a gourmet dinner (shrimp alfredo, quiche, lemon merengue and pecan pie) on our way to the temple for $20.00. Reason #1007: Last weekend I sent all my kids down to the park for the annual Fireman's picnic. The volunteer firemen fed the kids hotdogs and marshmallows and took them on rides on the firetrucks while I sat at home in a quiet kitchen that stayed clean during the lunch hour. I love this town.

Mom and Dad are in Arizona. They've been gone just over a week. At least on the phone, they sound like a couple on their honeymoon. I hope it lasts.