HONG KONG CHINA

Last night at Olive Garden in the presence of four out of five of their children and spouses, my parents, (the conservative, thrifty and not-so-adventurous people who raised me), announced with giant smiles that they have been called to serve an 18 month mission in HONG KONG CHINA. I might have guessed Salt Lake City, Canada, or even Mexico if I was feeling a little daring, but never in 1 million years would I have guessed China. Dad will be serving as a mental health specialist for the Asia East area and Mom will be his assistant and secretary. My parent's coolness factor has sky rocketed. They are the first couple missionaries to leave the Spokane Stake in 4 years and are going to be major trend setters. This is the best gift they could ever give their children and grandchildren and we are so excited and proud of them.


On a less dramatic note, Grandma Sue came down two Wednesdays in a row for Grandparents day in St John and Endicott. It meant a lot to the kids and me. Last Sunday was the primary program. Poor Max was nearly comotose with anxiety. Tony sat with him on the stand and he used every ounce of courage to say his three word part. Marcos kept us entertained with his funny faces and valiant efforts to sing the songs. Both Eliza and Cooper did a nice job as well.




I felt strongly that Monday night for FHE we should have a full-on Thanksgiving feast. Everyone had an assignment. I did the turkey (my first ever). Marcos provided the jello, Wilson made mashed potatoes, Cooper offered stuffing, Max made the rolls and Eliza made the pumpkin pie. We set a pretty table and expressed gratitude. It was good timing because Tony was just coming off of a hard call weekend and needed good food and a warm and yummy smelling kitchen. I've never had a spiritual prompting to make a big ol dinner before, but it was truly a bonding activity and exactly what our family needed that night.

Halloween is this weekend. No trick or treating this year as it falls on a Sunday, but that doesn't mean we can't party Saturday night, decorate pumpkins and make ourselves sick on chocolate.

I had an amazing class yesterday on dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. It was invigorating and made me anxious to go back to work.