Moms rule

Little Arizona present was left for us last night - someone ran into Elizabeth's car and took off. Bruce thinks he can fix it! Had no idea when we married that I got such a handy guy - he's a keeper.

Oh, and we finally found what we think our ward will be. We're about 2 blocks into the next Stake, so we'll travel 30 miles for the 8 o'clock time slot. Total excitement and enthusiasm around here!!

Moms rule

"Apartment" ended up being a rather nice one level 1,000 sq ft duplex (sharing only one wall). The pool is heated and chlorinated to the hilt - my eyes are still burning! Lots of kids and one resident told us to not go out at night without due vigilance. Gunshots are apparently common. Good thing we've got our big, strong Bruce!

Moms rule

Here we are in Cedar City - we left Salt Lake with an 8-inch snow storm carpeting the way. We passed cars off the freeway and were so grateful for our 4-wheel drive. It was slow going and we reached Tucson over 16 hours after starting. However, the kids were great and we enjoyed being together.

Moms rule

This is the view from our invisible home in Tucson. Once they begin construction, things should become a lot more tangible. We're set to leave the 20th. How does one move on from such a place and such people?? Well, one mile at a time and with lots of tears and memories. The thing I like is that we're only 7 hours away.

Vacation rules

Yep, that's us.

Vacation rules

Guess who???

Vacation rules

Yes, the Weston family finally went on vacation - sans David but with Grandpa David and LeAdelle in tow. Sequioa National Park was the destination and we saw some BIG trees. LeAdelle was a little gimpy,
but she still climbed Moro Rock, hiked around the Crescent Meadow, and saw the Sherman and Grant trees. We did Yoga, facials, and made hot chocolate, hot cider and instant oatmeal with the coffee maker. Even got an astronomy class in one night. Not bad for 3 days including 16 hours of travel time. On the way home we were so hungry that even McDonald's tasted terrific.

David's doings

Just got pics from David - sorry, Elder Weston! Isn't he just the sweetest thing? The guy with the goatee was a wonderful investigator named "Mark" who David was sorry to leave.

Moms rule

Guess who is dressed up as a Del Dios 6th grader? And who is that attractive ghost? When it comes to creativity, we certainly are prize winners. Here are the kids at the ward trunk-or-treat playing the fishing pond game. We had a great and chaotic time and received way too much chocolate.

David's doings

David just got transferred to Orange County, TX. Only one elder was left in the area, so it is an "adventure" to say the least. He is right on the eastern Texas border and even into Louisiana a bit. The bishop of the ward is Elder Arnold's Dad - for those of you who remember Elder Arnold who served here for awhile. I get the impression that be is in the "boonies" - do you think he at least has running water? Is this scout camp run amuck? Do we need to send him toilet paper? These questions will hopefully be answered on Wednesday with his next email - if they have computers!!

One Step at a time

It's the title (I think) of a song I like. But right now it means more to me, ok i'm gonna go off here on kind of a deep tangent I know very unusual but bear with me. Sometimes we want things to be ok all at once and know that everything will work out, that we'll be ok. I think sometimes it's a plea for a security we really crave but don't have enough of, or feel we don't have enough of, whether it be love or something else. But would we really enjoy life if we knew how everything worked out in the end, I know that sounds nice many times, but I think i'm finally starting to get it, we need to take life one step at a time, it's the process that makes life worth living, going one step at a time yes we will stumble, we will fall, and we will bleed heck that's all just part of life, but you know what if we get back up and keep going no matter how heavy we feel we'll make it. Part of life is also learning to trust in our saviour to help us carry our burden, I definitely know that I am very guilty of trying to carry my burdens without any help, but I have to trust that he wants to and is always ready to help me, he's always there and waiting with arms wide open. I think we also spend time wishing we could go back, who knows maybe that's just me, but no matter how much we may wish it we can't go back. We have to move forward no matter how scary it is. You know what I'm scared stiff, I hate this I don't want to move one step forward, especially one giant step. However I'm going to be ok, yeah it's gonna suck for a while, but I can't wait it's an adventure I love adventure and I can do it I know I can I need to rely on the savior a little more, but I'm going to be great, there's something, new and exciting waiting for me, I have no idea what it is but I can feel it, and I can't wait to meet it, the one thing I can do is enjoy what little time I have left here, about a month and a half, I can enjoy and learn to cope. My family is going to do incredible, and I wouldn't miss one step of this for the world. Now al I've got to do is keep telling myself this. I think I'm done with my novel for now cause that was a really long post.

Politics

The kids and I have stood at street corners waving signs for "Yes on Prop 8" two times now. We have been with many people who we know and trust, yet the experience is somewhat distressing to me. Is it the prop that bothers me? No, it's the opposition. Envision us this afternoon - about 20 friendly, non-confrontative people are standing with "Yes on Prop 8" signs at a busy intersection. Several of our kids are playing happily, running around, and occasionally holding a sign. We are peaceful and waving and getting many honks in our favor. One particular vehicular occupant, however, yelled angrily, "you're teaching your kids to hate." The tone of his voice was anything but cordial. As they drove away he called us a most distressing name using an "M" and an "F". How chillingly ironic that he accused us of hate when his entire presentation was saturated with malignant enmity. We just waved our signs and tried to not take his attitude personally. I wondered at the perspective of a person or group who cannot see such obvious irony - they accuse us of hate and then they rage in their committment to pull us down. Equality for all is so convenient when you insist on setting the rules only for yourself.

Sorry - make that ABOVE.

Moms rule

Guess who?? We're at the Harry Potter party hosted annually by the Harkleroad's. In order to gain admittance, one must be costumed. Thus, Abbers was Luna Lovegood, Thomas was a bespectacled Basilisk, and Mom was a chocolate frog trading card. Elizabeth joined us later (see picture below) as Scabbers (complete with missing digit). We ate very well and mom got a chance to visit with some good friends. It was a nice night out. Thanks Dusty and Jenny!!

craziness

Ok So my mom has been having all the fun, blogging lately, so I decided it's my turn again, (plus she's been bugging me about it) shhh, don't tell her I let on! :) Well I guess life is good, we have to keep our house super clean because who knows when a realtor will call or just show up. It's kind of hectic and insane, and I basically really just want to be in Arizona right now, cause I'm really feeling like it's the right thing to do and i'm going crazy sitting around here waiting for someone to buy our house. I'll miss everyone of course but Arizona's where were supposed to be right now, and i'm feeling this huge pull to be there. Other than that, life is crazy, insane, makes me want to pull my hair out, laugh, cry, celebrate, and numerous other emotions that I do not currently know words for. Well I need to go get ready for work, Yay work :P it's not that bad most the time, I think when I leave i'm going to miss it which is extremely surprising at times. But I have had some good times while I've been there, ok enough of this it sounds like i'm dying or something, I'm going to go crazy and then go to work probably in that order but don't quote me on that.

Moms rule

Here's David!! He has been helping lots of people in the aftermath of "Ike" and saw some of those wonderful yellow t-shirts the church gives out (he actually has one now - but he's not proud!). They were tracting and stopped to help. It turns out that the baptists are doing the yellow t-shirt thing, too! So they all worked together and had a good experience. It's tough going preaching for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in a predominantly Baptist and Catholic area, but David is happy and enthusiastic about the gospel.

Moms rule

Thomas is in that magical 3rd grade year when they get to be in the "recorder" band. You remember - it sounds like 60 baby bagpipes playing 40 different songs. And we're just so proud anyway. Well, Abigail (natural teacher and mother) took it upon herself to give him his first private lesson. After just a few minutes, "Twinkle, twinkle litte star" or something very like it was wafting down the hall. Way to go, kids!!!

Moms rule

Elizabeth is working hard to make our home look most attractive and have curb appeal to home buyers. Hope it works!!

Bruce came home this weekend and we've kept him busy. Many wonderful relief society women came over on Tuesday to make my home look model perfect and we've shown it a few times since listing on Wednesday. Living in a "ready-to-show" house is different than living normally, but we're adjusting. We did have to break down and buy some banana chairs for the family room. One reliner just wasn't cutting it for movie viewing. The kids are psyched to have rocker chairs and they fold up easily when we have to show the house. We could cultivate some excellent habits from living so "cleanly".

Moms rule

Elizabeth is having all the fun - now it's Mom's turn. Bruce is finding a house for us in Tucson and we're creating a dream house for someone else!! I'm sleeping alone in a vaguely familiar home which changes drastically daily. We've thrown away or packed about 14 tons of we-might-need-it-someday stuff and reconfigured vast amounts of furniture. We have a new color theme and great open spaces which I never knew existed. I have found a few handy men to complete the projects which I miss Bruce doing. Several wonderful women have already helped and we have a "party" planned for tomorrow to get the house sparkling for the realtor walk-through on Wed. Just keep taking those vitamins, just keep taking those vitamins....

Update

Well Dad left for Arizona yesterday, he starts work on Mon. We miss him but know it's the right thing for us now. We're here until we can sell the house, lots of wpork ahead! We're hoping that the house sells quickly, we think it will which is excellent! Everybody has been terrific in all that they have done, we are very appreciative!Update on David: he is doing well he is helping clean up and we got a letter from a lady who says he is a terrific worker and when he helped her he had a smila and worked harder than the other 7 missionaries, he then offered to go help her neighbors! We are so proud of him!

New at this!

So, I'm new at this whole blogging thing, trying to figure everything out, so be patient with me and whoever else regularly uses this blog, we'll get it eventually! :)Liz

The Weston's are blogging

Wow it finally happened!We are catching up with the rest of the world, my mom asked me to get us a blog so it is done, we can now let people know what is happening with us on the web. We are currently trying to get our house clean, it's amazing you never know how much junk you have until it's time to move!