Our New Ward

Ben and I are living in the same apartment as we have this past year (our first year) in Texas.  The only thing that has changed now is that we are in a new ward- The Glenn Loch Ward.  We are excited about this new adventure, as it means new challenges and more friends.  Today at church we heard two great talks from a couple who have changed wards MANY times while living here in this area.  Change really does mean great things for the church here, because it means membership has increased.  Where there once was 1 ward 20 years ago, there are now 9.  The Bishop was busy extending callings today and made the comment/joke when extending congrats to the newest 8 year old baptized yesterday that he too would "get a calling soon".  Another comment was made that we would all have "multiple callings" now.  Ben and I are excited to learn new things, but also a little nervous about being in a new ward, which is so incredibly tiny.  The overflow in our last ward was ALWAYS full, today in our new ward, the chapel had a lot of empty pews with absolutely no overflow. 

Not only do we attend a different building now, we go at a different time- 8:30 am.  We love the new time, but today when we got home I looked at Ben and said, "I need a calling, what am I supposed to do today?".  He rattled off a great list of things to do today, but it is so weird to have so much time on Sunday.

Baby Gecko

Here is the gecko I discovered in our house.  It was so little we called it "baby gecko".  Ben was a champ and picked it up and set it free.  To see the chase and release videos just click.

Goodbye Zions Camp

My girls camp is being sold!  The church has bought another camp, but it just won't be the same.  Luckily we had a great chance to be able to go up and say goodbye.  I was so happy to show Ben the camp.  We even went out on the raft on the pond.  He is such a good sport because it was Relief Society camp (all women) up there the day I took him to see the camp. It was fun to spend time with Mom, Amy and Meg away from the kids for awhile.  Thanks dad for babysitting.   We were fortunate to see "Mother Nature" (Pat Skidmore) up at camp too.  Oh the good ole days. 

Muir Woods

We went to the Redwoods for our honeymoon a year ago, but they trees weren't as great as the ones we saw this trip at Muir Woods, CA. We had so much fun sharing the adventure with my family, our friend Becky and her son and Robert, Dad's friend in a wheel chair.  We had a crazy adventure on the way to the woods, which resulted in Dad stopping by the CHP office making a statement about a crazy road rage incident that happened right before our eyes.  Dad wins citizen of the year!

I love TREES!!! Thanks dad for taking us here when we were little and opening my eyes to some of our Heavenly Fathers most beautiful creations. 

Washington Trip!

We absolutely LOVED our trip to Washington.  We flew on Alaska Air from Sacramento to Seattle during our vacation to California.  Best friend Danielle and husband Matt were such wonderful hosts!  We loved our entire time with them.  We ate fresh seafood everyday and are now committed to eating fish here in Texas at least once a week, as suggested by Ben (who was previously anti-fish).  We loved the weather and the tall beautiful trees- everywhere!

Uncle Ben aka "Husband Ben"

The kids call Ben, "Husband Ben" because my brother's name is also Ben.  He was the best during our trip to California with the nieces and nephews.  He played and played and played with the Nava and Johnson kids.  I didn't have a picture of husband Ben and Mackenzie, but brother Ben with his daughter was sure a cute sight.  Thanks Benny for being such a great uncle!

Prepared!

I have been VERY impressed to write a blog concerning "being prepared".  It might have to do with the fact that I now live in hurricane country, or that every news clip that I see on TV has me on edge, or that I just simply like being prepared (I call myself a "preventionalist"). 

We have the best Relief Society in the world (i'm convinced).  They have successfully given monthly workshops on being prepared and I have to honestly say our ward "cannery specialist" is inspiring and amazing!  Ben and I now have a month supply of food storage for each of us that we canned and packed ourselves at the local cannery hear in Houston.  We have up to date 72 hour kits and a family emergency plan.  We have a bit of water storage (not yet near the amount we will need- but we are doing our best).  I've learned about canning, cheese waxing, food storage accessories, 72 hour kits, grab and go boxes and the list goes on and on.  I have read countless blogs and websites about numerous preparedness topics and I feel like there is so much more to learn.  I write this blog encouraging all of you out there (which may be only one or two) who read this blog to check out the helpful websites I have posted on my blog.  They will help! 

Girls Camp 2010

Yes, I went to girls camp- AGAIN!  This girls camp was a new experience for me because it was in Texas and at a boy scout ranch.  Well- needless to say there was a  lot of the same songs and traditions that I grew up with, which was a lot of fun.  Some of the new adventures were:
1. Camping in canvas tents that are open at the bottom (rain and bugs enter at will)
2. Camping while feeling the rain of a not so far distant tropical storm
3. Eating from a staffed kitchen- which by the way I would have loved to have the Yuba City women cooking the food rather than the boy scout staff anyday
4. Waking up at night to help out sick campers or driving them up the road to the nurse
5. No camp fires- they just aren't allowed. (except for when it was raining and luckily the bishopric brought a quick fire log for our last night).
6. Sleeping on a cot (good thing because our tent let the water in on the floor)

Needless to say, IT WAS A BLAST!!!! We had a lot of fun and I wouldn't have changed any of it (except for my soggy feet).  I loved spending time with the YW and the leaders.  We all played the "cup game" and "big booty" enough to have the songs permanently ingrained in our minds.  I'm looking forward to next year!

Ben's Summer Job

I'm so proud of Ben dealing with the Texas heat and humidity 5 days a week as a "bug boy".  Luckily Ben and I both found summer jobs this year fairly quickly.  Ben is working for Reliant Pest Control, which our good friend owns.  He works very long days- usually 7 am till 9 pm as a technician spraying for bugs.  I'm grateful for such a great husband who is sacrificing his summer to bring in a little extra income for our family.  Luckily he is only working 2 more weeks and then we are off to CALIFORNIA!!!  He will be starting his "real job" in August teaching High School - 11th Grade U.S. History at a Conroe High (north of Houston, Texas). 

Let Freedom Ring!

July3rd:  I came home from girls camp and after spending a few days in a tent with me Kim still wanted to be my friend.  Ben and I went over to their house for a BBQ and then off the Pavilion for a free patriotic concert from the Houston Symphony and the Texas Tenors.  We were so happy to find out they give out free lawn chairs !  The ladies took a picture with the Texas Tenors (you may recognize them from America's Got Talent) while the husbands took the picture! 

July4th:  We went to church and then over to the Mitchell's for a rib dinner.  Ben and I made Cheney rolls for the first time and they actually turned out!  They may never be as good as Mom's but at least they came out edible.  It was so fun to be with great friends and their new baby! After dinner we met up with over 80 members (most from our ward) and watched the city fireworks.  The family I nanny for was at both the activities we went to this past weekend, so it was fun to see "the boys".  Jayce is on the left and Jaeden on the right (Jackson is not in the picture).  It was so nice to spend so much time with Ben after being gone for 4 days at girls camp last week.What a great weekend!