Just catching up...

For those who don't check FB daily, last week I was able to take a trip to Washington to see my grandkids. Diona's close friend from Sacramento lost her husband to a sudden death and Diona needed to go to be with her and help her with funeral arrangements and all. Since Ric was out on the sub, Diona called me and asked if I could come babysit. Of course she had to twist my arm to get me to agree... So she took care of all the details and the next day I flew into Seattle, met her and kids at the airport, took the girls and keys to the car and she and Seven boarded their plane. Actually, we got to spend about 1 1/2 hour at the airport before they had to leave. And Seven was wide awake and very happy watching his sisters play around.

Diona, ever thoughtful, had put the directions to home in the Tom Tom for me, had made a delicious chicken cacciatore and had it cooking in the crock pot for us, and left me lots of notes with phone numbers, directions and such. The drive home was the worse. It is about 1 hour drive and it was raining cats and dogs. I had driven the Pilot before but was still nervous about it (trying to find the wipers, lights, etc while driving...) and the freeway was actually flooded in spots. I, of course, had dressed like I was still in Blythe, sandals, capri pants, no jacket. But we made it home and enjoyed our time together. The girls were so helpful and we did fine all week. Ric got home late Tues. night and worked Wed & Thurs, but had Friday off. The girls get out of school early on Thursdays so we all went for a nice drive to see some sights that day. Friday, Ric and I ran some errands and "shopped" for my dream 5th wheel and truck. I spent my days at Michaels, JoAnn's, Target and such since I don't have access to those places. And I read 2 books on the flights and there. Diona got in LATE Friday night so Ric picked her up alone.

I flew out Sat at 1:00, so we got up to a sunshine day and took the ferry over to Seattle. The girls and Seven enjoyed that. We had about 1 hour at the airport together also. It was a nice way to end the trip. My flights were all good (4 planes all total and always managed to have an empty middle seat). I was picked up at airport by Ray, Ryan and Cameron and Faith and that was a treat also. Faith dressed up to come get me and she made me a darling welcome home card declaring her love for me and stressing how much she missed me.

I forgot to mention that the Sunday I was in Silverdale, it was stake conference. We were lucky to have from the Presidency of the Seventy, L. Whitney Clayton. The conference was great and went with the theme of eternal families just carrying on the primary theme. The speakers were great and I was so lifted and inspired by this meeting. The stake primary had put together a packet with puzzles, word searches and questions to answer and the girls enjoyed that. I had looked online intended to attend a 9:00 meeting at that building so I was surprised when I got there at that time, there was already a string of cars in the parking lot, attendants packing in the cars like sardines. I found out it was stake conference at 10:00. I have to admit I had forgotten that stake conferences could be that big. So, here we were an hour early and we couldn't find seats in the chapel. And the girls were looking forward to going to their classes and didn't quite understand why we were sitting for so long.

But now that I am home, it is back to reality. I have not only driven the bus again, I have also helped out in the office since the driver trainer is out for awhile with surgery. It was good to be back in Faith's classroom, her teacher was grateful to have me back too since I like to take home papers to grade or cut out stuff for her. The kids in Faith's class are a fun group too. Tomorrow I am a chaperone on Cameron's class trip. We are going to Oak Glen (about 3 hours away) to hike and learn about nature. Oak Glen is famous for apples and has lots of little shops that sell yummy goodies. We used to take the kids there when they were little.

We are going to St George to have Thanksgiving with the Berrys. We are anxious to meet Danielle's baby boy Kyler. Adam will have Trinity there and Seth, Lindsey and Lily will also be there. We are looking forward to see the fall colors and the temple lighting ceremony. Amy and kids are going with us.

I forgot to mention what went on at home while I was gone. Ray had been named driver of the month of March 2009 and so he was up for nomination for driver of the year for Southern California. He and Ryan attended a nice banquet, he got an embroidered jacket and a plaque but did not get the driver of the year (there are at least 20 trucking companies with 12 drivers each in the competition). And then the very next week, Ray got to be part of the Conway pit crew at the Phoenix Int'l Raceway Truck Nascar Race. He got a racing shirt and all kinds of comp stuff and really enjoyed the experience. He had done this before for winning a contest and now he won another contest and got to do it again. Ryan also got to go to the races but didn't get the pit experience. I'm sure there are pictures somewhere which I will post when I figure out where they are.

That about wraps it up. Until the next time....