07/29/12 Parade, Warby's & packing

Bring in the clowns!

7/29/12

Things are moving at quite the pace on this side of the world!

We had the 24th Holiday on Tuesday (no court!!!).  Started early with the parade.  Me and Dallas and the YW dressed as clowns, dad drove the grand Marshall in his mustang, Melva Page, Bryce played in the stake president's band and the girls kazooed with the primary.  So none of us SAW the parade!  Ha.  Hopefully dad will hook you up with a couple of pix though.  

Driving the Grand Marshall, oh yeah!

I didn't think the parade was going to happen because right before (like 7:30 a.m.) we had a DOWN POUR, thunder lightening storm like no other.  But being Utah, it cleared up and just left us with a very muggy warm morning.  Probably saved us from a real scorcher though!

After the parade we walked around the park and got icee and hot dogs while the boys manned the mini putt putt course for the kids.  

Another down pour hit close to noon and I think they shut down the festivities at that point (not sure, we left!!!).  Boys were home not too long after!

Warby's invited us to go to their parent's house for a swim BBQ the evening of the 24th.  The Riley's and Condie's were there too.  We had chicken and chips and cupcakes and jello and swam.  Amy's parents have a nice place over in Bloomington close to Jared's place.  It has a great game room and pool out the back.  It was fun!

Everything is coming together on the house sale/purchases too!  We passed both appraisals and inspections and financing is in place.  The people buying our home gave us a list of things to fix but we think we can do it for about $500 or so.  We are going to hire Steve Loui to take care of a couple.  1- replace whirlybird fans on roof (2); 2- replace roof tiles that have blown off roof (just a handful of them); 3- fix sprinkler head that is pointing at house (I did that one); 4- replace screens that don't fit ($140 and jones paint and glass will have us in business); and finally get a 1 hp garbage disposal in the kitchen.

Everything should be done by next Thursday.  We ordered the disposal online and it will get here Tuesday and we asked Steve to come back Wednesday to complete repairs.  Hopefully these won't be a big deal!

Work is staying really busy too and Dad's work has picked up quite a bit -- the magazine is going again.  

Lots to do with packing up and all so we are just trying to stay on it!

Probably going to go to Capitol Reef this weekend for the Bahr family reunion.  We reserved Th, Fr and Sat nights at the Days inn.  Couldn't get our cabin. It was taken.  Bummer.  But we got 2 rooms so we can at least spread out a little. Depending on how things are going with the house we could possible shorten the trip a little or not go at all.  I think we'll at least try to get up there for some of it though.  Mom is in charge and she would be so disappointed if we didn't come.

Dallas will finish his first class at the Dixie Applied Tech college Thursday too.  Wow time flies!  Seems like he just started that.  Far as I can tell he is doing fine.  Can't babysit his grades for him anymore though so it's all up to him!  

He took apart the old lawn mower yesterday and tried to get it working again.  No luck yet but he thinks a new spark plug might do the trick.  We'll have to get one next week.

Anyway, that sums up our week.  Hope you had another terrific week!!!  We really LOVE reading your letters to the family every Monday night.  I don't know what we'll do for family night once you get back!  You  might have to have the lesson the first few weeks to show us how it's done!!!

Getting ready to head to church before long...5th Sunday, so it's going to be combined.  

Love you lots!  (Be sure to let me know about your 2nd debit card.  I'll work on that tomorrow if needed!!!) mom.

07/22/12 Youth Conference

7/22/12

Aaaaahhhhhhhh....made it through a stressful week!  

Finally have Youth Conference behind me!  It turned out pretty great!  Had some great firesides, workshops a fun hike, good service project and a nice group of young men and young women.   5 of each.  Everything really came together nicely and went rather smoothly.  We didn't stick tight to a schedule...in fact no one really knew the schedule 'cept me and I didn't have a watch.  So, we just followed the schedule as it felt natural to do so.  The kids all got along really well and the adults were laid back and cool.  No high pressure stress or anything.

We got final acceptance of the offer we made on the new house this week on Thursday morning at lunch time right before we headed up the mountain so that was pretty exciting!  Now we just have to jump through a bunch more hoops and then we should be in our new place this time next month!  WOW!!!  You will love it!

Everybody at church keeps saying they can't believe we are going and how much they are going to miss us.  And is AJ going to give his homecoming talk in the old ward on the new ward.  I'm thinking both!  So many people are moving out of our ward it is crazy.  I don't think I can even name all the families that have gone recently but let me tell you there are a TON!  A bunch of the town home people lost home to forecloser/or job loss.  Some just left to get bigger places, like us.  Feel bad for Sister Riley (primary president) and the Bishop who are having to try to fill all the vacancies.  

Dallas brought his friend "Kat" to church today.  He has gotten a little more serious about her than I'd like...she is a non-member who hasn't been to church much at all her whole life.  I think today was her first time in an LDS church.  She said she really enjoyed church and learned a lot.  She came to YW today and Sister Sharp gave a really great lesson about the guidance and value of the scriptures.  I invited KAT to join us for YW on Tuesday (being clowns for the 24th Parade) and to come to church again next week.  We'll see if she starts coming around more and doing those activities with us.  Dallas spoke in church today about Helamen Camp and his desire to serve a mission like his older brother.  He did a great job.  I'll forward his talk to you in a separate email.

As we were looking around the ward today we are kind of sad to be leaving.  We know almost everyone in every single row that comes to church.  Dad commented that it is going to be hard to get to know another ward so well again.  It is true...unless he gets a big calling in which case he will learn very quickly!!!  Dad has a program that gives all the memberships of the people in the new ward and there are a handful of people we know but there are so many more we don't.  But just think...in a couple of years we'll know a TON of people from our stake!

Everybody keeps joking that we better make sure and make it to the airport to pick you up.  I guess Edy Dickie's parents moved while he was on his mission and then somehow missed his pickup time and so noone was at that airport to get him and he didn't know where he lived anymore. Sad!

Well there is so much work to do in the next month -- as things sit right now we should be moving in 26 days.  (We are hoping to make it a little bit quicker to not have to move after school starts).  We should be finding out dates certain next week.  It is hard to imagine how much we can accumulate over 11 years of living!  I have gone through several rooms and started to sift through things.  We've taken 2 vans full of things to the DI so far.  Haven't gotten to the shed yet.  It is pretty full of stuff!

We also want to go to capitol reef the weekend before we move for the family vacation/reunion.  Which means I need to be even more prepared!  

It has been fun talking about the different things we need to get for the house...bed for you for one!  Couches, desk, dressers...

You are lucky to be serving at this time because you will miss all the hard work and come back when it is over!  Brother Campbell missed quite a bit of youth conference due to working each day and then coming up after work.  Both evenings he showed up just as the prayer was being said on dinner and didn't have to help with the preparation.  That is how I envision you!  

So keep focused on the work out there and we'll get all the hard work done here and then you can come and enjoy it when you are finished!

I love you tons and am so thankful for the amazing example you are to your family.  You have really helped me to have a better attitude and to just hunker down and work hard and try not to complain about there being too much to do or whatever.  No matter what I have to do, you are doing more!  I know the boys look up to you and can see what a value the mission has been for your life and they really seem to be striving toward following the example you created.  That is invaluable.  The boys are on their way to mission prep class right now and really excited to be going.  

The church is true!  Love you lots. Mom.

07/22/12 Dallas' talk about Camp Helaman

7/22/12 talk Dallas gave in church

Camp Helaman

Three weeks ago we went to Camp Helaman, which is for priest age young men.

It is a mission prep camp. We spent three days up in Cedar Mountain, learning how to be

I had the privilege to be one of the zone leaders of our 3 zones in our stake, my

duties included leading the morning devotionals for my zone. One morning I was to use

quotes from a conference talk and bare my testimony, then the second morning I led my

Here is an example of a morning devotional we might have put together.

ALMA 26:35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there

never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and

my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all apower, ball wisdom,

and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a cmerciful Being, even

unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

The savior atoned for our sins and pleaded to his father to remove the pain.  He

had to go through this pain in order to save us from having to endure this pain, if we will

repent.  If we will acknowledge that we have sinned and then pray for forgiveness we

will not have to endure the pain for our sins.  

It was good practice to learn how to organize a devotional and lead a discussion.  

We had some great firesides and devotionals while we were up there, teaching us

both ways to help us while we serve a mission and ways to prepare us for a mission.  The

talks helped to reinforce my decision to serve a mission.

I learned a lot about the benefits of serving a mission which include learning to

budget, living with someone else, budgeting your time, teaching other, developing my

testimony and gospel knowledge and many more things.

I plan on following the example of my older brother AJ by serving a mission.  

Before my  brother left for his mission he started coming into Bryce and my room

each night and reading scriptures with us.  He helped us to get in the habit or reading and

praying each night.  Since he left  I have continued the habit of reading my scriptures and

praying every night before bed.   This has helped me through difficult times in my life

and helped to keep me focused and on the right track.

I have started attending the missionary prep class taught by Brother Chamberlain

and I have really enjoyed his lesson and look forward to continuing taking his Sunday

I am thankful for the leaders that spent so much time and effort to put together

such an inspirational and educational camp. It was a really great experience and I am glad

07/15/12 House SOLD! And picked a new one!!!!

7/15/12

Wow! What week!  I am reverting back to my sleepless nights as I contemplate all that has happened this week!!!  Good thing I can get lots done in the wee hours of the morning!

So you know how we were kicking around the idea of selling our house?  Well we finally completed the paperwork and on Monday morning we were fresh out on the market.  We had several appointments Monday and word that a couple offers had come in.  One was kinda low balling it.  The other was full price with us out by Aug 17.  By Wednesday at 5 p.m. we had accepted the offer.  Unfortunately the house we had fallen in love with went under contract Saturday or Monday and so it is not available now.

We started really shopping hard and came to find out that most of the "deals" out there are short sales...which means LONG TIME BEFORE YOU GET IN!!!!  Frustrating since we don't have a long time.  We have 33 days to get out as of today.  Maybe less if they get the papework done correctly and quickly!  Thursday night the weather did not cooperate with us...lightning, rain (first time in like 77 days!!!), wind.  So we stayed home.  Friday Dad and I both worked and then after lunch the girls joined us for a drive around and checked out the houses that were not short sales on the market.  It was a little discouraging.  Everything is pretty pricey and some were very nice but they all had little things that we didn't like.  About the same time we found a home that was AMAZING but I went to the address and it didn't exist.  (It is a "you could have this" ad where they build you a home in 60-90 days).  I figured that was that.  Dad went back over around address and into the model home and started talking to them and asked about buying the model.  The salesman was like, sure you can buy the model.  But the price is the price, no negotiations.  It was about $10k more than the most we wanted to spend but it was right within the range we were looking and SO MUCH NICER than ANYTHING we had seen.  There are a few drawbacks to this home...the back yard is pretty small (we wanted that!...but it backs up to 300 E which is a busy road).  It is the ONLY home in the WHOLE subdivision right now!  No neighbors, no friends for the girls close by.

After driving around and seeing our other options though this house felt more and more right.  It will keep us within our stake (the boys can continue with mission prep class).  We are 1 mile closer to Pine View.  The girls can stay at Washington Elementary (dad's sad about that but the girls couldn't be happier).  It is about the same distance to my work.  And the home is beyond any of my wildest dreams nice!!!!  And supposedly they build 30 or more homes a year so before long we should have lots of new neighbors!

So we put an offer in yesterday and they have until Wednesday at 5 to accept the offer.  The salesman seemed to think they would.  This home has every imaginable upgrade and then some.  It has 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, an office, 2 family rooms, 3 car garage, granite counters, upgraded carpet, a nice fridge, $2700 worth of washer and dryer (already hooked up!!!!)...there is more.  You will not believe it when you see it.

Cristy Peck always says you get missionary blessings when your son is serving the Lord.  If this is a missionary blessing...HOLY SMOKES kid, YOU ROCK!!!

There are still a handful of things that could happen and the whole deal could fall through but it looks very promising right now.

Youth Conference is this week so I'm having split pea brain syndrome as I try to wrap my brain around all that needs to happen with the sale/move and all the details of youth conference while trying to continue to work and do laundry and live life!  Yikes!  We have a great group of boys and girls going.  We had 7 girls 7 boys but today one of my girls backed out (family vacation this week, bummer).  But that is still amazing!!! We had a room full of girls in YW today which makes me so happy!  We have our theme -- Putting on the whole armor of God, fighting your battles with satan.  Something like that.  Some great firesides, activities, workshops planned.  It is all on paper and looks pretty good from this side of things.  I have to go shopping this week for several of the meals.  Girls are doing 2 breakfast and a dinner.  Boys are doing dinner and a lunch.  1st day is bring your own lunch and 3rd day, home by lunch.  So yeah, it's coming together!  We are pretty light on leadership.  They've had so much going on this summer that most people couldn't get off again.  So me and Sister Sharp (7 months prego) are the only ladies.  Bishop is staying the whole time and the YM leaders are going to charge.  Devin Choles, Bro Campbell...not sure who else.  They will have "revolving" leaders.  It is going to be at a cabin in Brian Head and should be really great!

So I'm sure it will be fun to talk to dad and see the pix.  We are still trying to figure out where everyone will go and who will share rooms etc.  

Well wish us luck as we try to stay focused and get everything done over here!  XOXO mom

07/08/12 Put house up for sale...

7/8/12

Everybody is clamoring about you getting your release date.  It seems like so close, and yet so far!  It's like when you got your call.  It was cool but it seemed like forever away.  It went so fast though.  I am sure this will too!

Talked to Sis. Lewis for a couple of minutes today...do you think you'd like to room with Riley at BYU?  His roommates are all getting married.  Of course he's looking for a roommate in Fall but I didn't even know if that was something you'd like or not.  So let me know if I should try to work that out or not.  I guess there is also a basement/garage type apt away from campus at his sisters house that you could possibly rent.  That one would require you driving into campus though.  I was hoping to find you something you could walk to campus everyday from.  I know how hard parking is there.  It's the pits!

Busy week behind us again!  4th of July on a Wednesday was kind of weird, and tiring! Stayed up and watched the fireworks from skyline drive this year with the radio playing patriotic music in the background.  Pretty cool!  

Hardly have girls camp out of the system and have to get totally geared up for youth conference.  Bro. Campbell and I are in charge, it is on a ward level.  Yikes, never done this before.  So much to do, so little time!  We have a really good outline of what needs to happen but still tons of details to get done.  I am trying to get the tired out of my system and jump in with both feet ready to work on that.  I really think it will be fine and great fun but I know there are lots of little things that need to happen between now and next Thursday morning!

The boys are at mission prep class right now.  They went 2 weeks ago and really liked it and were excited to go again today.  We'll see what great stories they talk about tonight!  

Bryce blessed the sacrament for the first time today and did excellent.  It was so cute to watch him leaning over and asking big brother for last minute advice etc.  

Bryce is going on an ag trip this week just like last year.  His friend Maddi is also planning to go.  He is pretty smitten with Maddi.  He gets a goofy grin every time we say her name.  I don't think she's quite as smitten back but they both seem to like each other.  Bryce is going on his first date this week with her -- to the temple to do baptisms.  They are going on a double or triple date.  Not sure.  With David and his sister and their dates I think.  He is pretty excited.  They are going to eat in the cafeteria at the temple afterward and then go watch some churchy movie at Maddi's house afterward.  Now Bryce just needs to get a job so he can start making car payments and insurance payments and get a phone and have money to date, etc.!!!!  Not sure if Dave Jordan is going to be able to hire him or not.  He's still working through that...nepotism thing.  We'll see.  

Dallas has been applying for another job but so far nothing.  His is a little more difficult to work with since he's in school and working for the city till 3 or 4 everyday but he's hoping for some supplemental income.

We listed the house this week.  We'll see if there is any action on it.  I have mixed emotions on selling this place.  It really is "home" to us and it's almost paid off.  It is kind of small though.  And in need of some repairs before long (just maintenance stuff, carpet, walls etc.)  Interest rates are EXCELLENT right now.  Be nice to let somebody else do the "clean up" and get a house that's all pretty!  The kids are really doing well here and I worry about upsetting the apple cart.  I worry about the new ward and friends and activities situation.  But it could be that we find a really great ward that the kids fit right in!  And it would be nice to live next to the middle school so that activities there would be easier.  (If we got that house dad sent you pix of!)  It is also really close to the high school so that would be easier too.  Anyway, we are just going to see what happens over the next month or two and if we get an offer we'll really have to make some decisions!  

Sister Carlos sent me a short sweet note that said she'd spent time with you recently.  Here it is:

We had all the leaders in for training on the 4th. Elder Griffin was here

and we always enjoy being with him. He is one missionary that always

appreciates the food! We served macaroni salad, potato chips, sloppy joes

and rice krispie cookies. (Rice too.) Anyway, it is hard to believe that

his days are numbered. Time flies by-especially on a mission. We are down

to less than a year and are excited to see our family but lamenting leaving here. President has filled out numerous endorsements and I know he will be

more than happy to do so for Elder Griffin. We will let you know if there

is anything he needs from you. Our oldest son just was hired as a professor

at BYU's school of business. We are so excited for him! Thanks for raising

such a great son. We love him and appreciate him!

Nice, huh?!

Thanks for being a great son!  I love you lots.  Let me know what you need me to do for you!!!! XOXO mom.

07/01/12 Fire in New Harmony & baptism of Arriana

7/1/12

Can you believe it's July already?  Where does the time go?

Everybody survived the week apart.  I went to Girls Camp Wednesday morning early until Saturday noon time.  Had a great experience.  There was many spiritual talks, lots of fun games, giggly girls, cold nights, hard beds, flushing toilets (yes!), plenty of food and lots of fun.  We took 14 girls and 5 leaders including myself.  One of the leaders wasn't there the whole time but the others were.  It sure it a lot of work to get those all put together and pulled off but I think every girl and leader had a good experience so I guess it was worth it!

The boys went to Camp Helaman and also had a spiritual fun experience.  There was a fire in the mountains and their camp had to evacuate at some point but they still had a great time.

Dad and the girls stayed home and went to the movies and out to eat and did daddy daughter stuff.  I think the girls like it when we are gone...!!!!

There was a fire in New Harmony this week and it burned gma and pa's gazebo and back yard and wilted the side of their house but they were blessed and their house did not burn.  Too close for comfort though.  I haven't talked to them but I hear they are ready to move now!  On the bright side they were planning on replacing the floor of the gazebo and having a family party where we all go up and work after they spend lots of $$$ to buy the floor...and now we don't need to do that!  We can just have the party!

hi

This is Holly.  I miss you and I hope you are having fun on your mission. This week I went to a G.S. cookie party.  I played with my friends all the time.  I got to go to the movies with Daddy.  We watched Brave in 3D.  We got popcorn and candy.  Lots of candy.  Giggle.  Mommy and the boys left for camp for 3 and 4 days.  It was fun while they were gone because Daddy brought us to a whole bunch of places and we got to eat out all week for dinner. Someone dropped a match at a nearby camp site and the boys had to leave because there was a big fire.  We went to the sweet-tooth fairy shop ... but don't tell mommy.  I'm not supposed to tell.  I got a cupcake and a brownie piece. It was yummy.  Giggle. Giggle.  We had 2 weeks of swim lessons.  They were great.  I learned how to do dolphin body and the butterfly and side stroke.  There were 6 kids in my class including me and Katie.  Love you!!!!  Holly

Yesterday Arriana got baptized along with her grandma (her brother got baptized a couple weeks ago).  They asked me to speak at her baptism.  It was so strange-- I got up in front of the baptismal font (the primary room chairs were turned around) --- and my whole body started shaking uncontrollably.  I couldn't even see the paper.  I wasn't nervous either.  I took one of the tiny primary chairs and said, I'm sorry, but I can't stop shaking and I need to sit down.  I then was able to look right into Arriana's and her grandma's eyes and deliver the talk.  It went off just fine after that.  Arriana has had a pretty difficult life (parents abandoned her, in jail, abused, etc).  She has some social issues, (very difficult to spend time with...kind of selfish, kind of needy...hard to explain).  The girls tried hard to continue to include her and be nice to her even with her porcupine-ness.  After girls camp about 6 of the girls came to her baptism -- I was kind of surprised.  I was afraid they'd all be sleeping and not make it.  But they came and they sang and it was beautiful.  In fact this was the best attended baptism I've seen in a long time.  The stake presidency was there, stake YW presidency, YW presidency, bishop, lots of family friends.  The whole primary room was packed.  I really hope we can make a difference in this YW life because it would be sad to see her go down the same path as her parents.

Last night Dad and I went out to dinner and then drove around and looked at some houses.  We found an amazing house that we should be able to afford if we can sell our house for a decent price really close to the middle school.  Who knows if we can actually pull off selling our place etc. but it's fun to think about.  Katie and Holly are against us moving...they really love Washington Elementary.  It is hard to imagine moving for so many reasons...we'll see what happens!  

Well I hope that you are doing well and staying healthy.  We are planning to go to SL next weekend for Jonny and Demas sealing, so that will be neat but make for another whirlwind week!

Love you lots!  Keep up the good works! XOXO mom