Mini MTC mission call letters

So here's what we're doing this week for combined activity and I hope it's good. I stole the idea from a parent, who stole it from THIS blog. Only I am even lazier and have asked the full time missionaries to take it over after I print out the mission calls. I took most of the wording straight from my own mission call and while doing so tons of memories came rushing back. I remember my WHOLE family crammed in our living room. I couldn't see a thing through all the tears. I think I cried a good 12 hours from the moment I heard my special mail had come to well after it was finally opened.

Anyway blah, blah, blah best 18 months of my life!

Here's the fake letter.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Office of the Parkview Ward

12860 Amethyst Rd, Victorville, CA 92392

31 October 2010

Miss Holly Evlyne Garcia

Address

Victorville, California 92392

Dear Sister Garcia,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary. You are assigned to labor in the Utah Provo Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 1 hour.

You should report to the mini Missionary Training Center at Victorville, California on Wednesday, 3 November 2010. You will prepare to understand and preach the gospel.

You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel. You will be an unofficial representative of the Church. As such you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by wearing appropriate Sunday attire, acting in quiet dignity, and following the counsel of your leaders.

Great fun and refreshments await you this Wednesday evening. Please prepare yourself by learning all you can about being a missionary and the place you have been called to serve.

Please send your verbal response to Sister Pollock before you leave church today.

Sincerely,

YW/YM Combined Mutual Halloween Dance

Last year we threw a Halloween dance for mutual and invited the other 2 wards that meet in our building. The youth LOVED it esp. the 12 year olds who don't normally get to attend dances. This year they asked to do it again... heck no! But then, like always, I caved and started the planning process of 1. getting a DJ and 2. Inviting the other wards. It must have been in the stars because we have a DJ in our ward who was more than willing to do it AND the others wards about had an excited panic attack when I extended the invite. So there you have it, but I was NOT going to decorate.

So you really had to be there to enjoy the full extent of our not-decorating, because the pictures don't do it justice. The sad part, when we were finished I wanted 10,000 yards of black fabric to frame the DJ area. Wouldn't that have been awesome?! As it was I went to get cups and ice and got lost at Joann's instead of Costco. All the Halloween stuff was 60% off. And my good friend Sister Garcia let be barrow a bunch of things complete with REAL cobwebs! She also helped donate to the 25 milk carton ghosts waiting to make an entrance.

You know it's a Mormon party when Hymn books are included. Might I add, BEST DJ EVER!!! You couldn't help but to dance to every song played!

As you can see, no one dressed up.

Halloween costumes

MacKenzie picked this out from a magazine and let me know it HAD to be her Halloween costume.

After a little velcro and a few stitches it's not perfect, but it does look kind of cute on her.

As for Kennedy, she wants to be Rudolph. They say imaginations are good, but what ever happened to a ghost or witch? I can find those pre-made at Target.

My little boy

He "took a nap" in his sister's room this afternoon and came out happy as could be,

wearing his new found "piggy shirt".

What surprises does your husband pick up on his way home from work?

Justin usually brings home snakes or lizards. Last night it was a fox that had been hit by a car because you know, "We could skin him!"

The first thing Kennedy said when she heard the news was, "YES! I totally need a fox skin to hang on my wall! That's perfect Dad!"

And then it stunk. Really. Bad.

The skinning lasted about 10 minutes until Justin decided it was a little too decomposed. The tail and legs were falling off. Kennedy's comment, "Well, I thought Dad could get that skin off, but I guess it just stinks too bad for him to do a good job. Maybe next time." Cause you know, there's always tomorrow. You never know what might be on the side of the freeway tomorrow;)

The makeup artist & her model

And we don't discriminate here. Makeup goes on clothing and faces.

I made clam chowder and it was delicious!

I can't believe how good this turned out! My judgement may be swayed a little as I made it thinking "this is going to be a total flop". I'm so glad when I'm wrong. Even Justin slurped it up, bowl and all;)

I read the first 2 reviews for this recipe and this is what it produced. Little drips and all.

As for the kids 2 of them liked it. I take that back Grayson just ate his bacon pieces on top.

The other did not. I thought for sure this one would be all over soup in a bread bowl. First thing she said was, "I want a regular bowl" followed quickly by, "that looks disgusting!" I can always count on my kids to tell me what they really think.

What the kids do while I watch conference

First of all let me just say conference was totally inspired! I even prayed to feel the Spirit, and would you guess what happened?! I found my camera charger! Been looking for it for months. (Okay fine, I blamed Katelyn for stealing it. Same thing.)

Kennedy found the stapler.

MacKenzie jumped into all the markers, half of which I just realized are permanent. Oops.

I'm pretty sure that's the 3rd outfit Grayson's had on today.

Stuffed animal arrangements.

And a monkey. However if you're looking at the markings all over the beds, that was done a long time ago. Don't you remember drawing your name everywhere? And then insisting your 2 year old brother (who can't write) did it. Although pictured here really does look like Grayson's art. He can go to town with the scribbles complete with a sticker.

I need a new camera

While I wait here's a few links from my trip to Texas to visit my sister. And earlier this week Justin and I took the kids to visit our friends Ben & Jenna in San Diego. But for the sake of having at least one pic, here's one from Katelyn's wedding in between both those trips:

3 mormon boys, 3 ukulele's and a new churchy song I would love to add to my church playlist of songs.

(It takes a while to "buffer") Do you love it sisters? They're not professionals, but how sweet they sound!

The one picture that made me buy my first magazine while waiting in line at the grocery store.

You'll have to excuse the lame computer pics, but how fun is this wreath?!

What they did:

styrofoam wreath

black duct tape wrapped around the styrofoam

glued on candy corn

That's it! I can do that.

Okay and remember the blossoms on the sticks from my back yard?

I've totally got more sticks;) And I'm sure there's black spray paint somewhere.

Katelyn's wedding slideshow minus the Obama photoshops (although if I knew how to do it I would have LOVED to put something in the background!)

She asked me to come up with a slideshow for her reception and this is all I could come up with. (Thanks Rebecca for the Kindle commercial song.)

Spray painting those ugly (but useful) security screen doors!

Half way through painting these I wanted to yank them off! (who am I kidding I wanted to yank them off the minute we moved in, but it's so nice to leave the front door open all night long and let the cool breeze come through). But here's the thing... they don't come off!!! I killed myself getting one already loose screw off only to find the rest were entirely NOT loose. The one-way screws are sloped and ridiculous. I even got a fancy drill bit from Home Depot claiming to get them off. Didn't work.

I finished painting them. Notice the one screw missing- only to tease me. Now I can't get it back in. Also if you look closely the porch lamp is at a severe slant. Might have broken the blue box thing that holds it in the stucco. Opps. (You can fix that right, Justin?) And then I need a new handle and deadbolt. Whatever. I always do these jobs half way.

Best Wedding Slideshow Ever

Happy Anniversary Justin

It's been 7 years and the entire 7 years has been sprinkled with comments of, "Man I REALLY want to go deep sea fishing!" Justin has never been. Dang, I've even been deep sea fishing (a long time ago) and I don't like to fish. When I heard about this fishing trip from my old family friend Jay I called Justin and told him to hop online and sign up to go. Subsequently I became "the best wife ever", that's right.

Justin, Tad (Jay's brother-in-law and my cousin's husband and I've known him since I was born) and Jay. Is it just me or does the short guy have the biggest fish?

They sliced and diced those things right there on... plastic patio tables? That had to smell.

They saw killer whales! In the Sea of Cortez! Not common. Justin's guide said he's NEVER seen them there before.

I assume this is the guide, but Justin caught this eel. It was thrown back, but an exciting catch.

And he caught this sand shark! I think these animals are attracted to him.

This big huge thing is a totuava. It's endangered and he had to let it go. Bummer.

He was gone about a week and had a blast. He'll definitely go again.

The Barstow Mustache Growing Contest

Justin's office had a mustache growing contest in memory of the fallen officer. For a long while I thought Justin would definitely fall into the "nice try mustache" category. He proved me wrong.

Have I ever told you how much I dislike facial hair? I don't like it! Who is this man that keeps coming in our home? I don't know him.

Hair cuts

MacKenzie can't stop cutting her hair. I never actually catch her in the act, but she's no so smart about cleaning up the leftovers (which are usually ALL over the bathroom counter). A few weeks ago she had to get her self induced mullet fixed. Thanks Brenda!


Her reply to all this hair cutting business, "I just LOVE short hair mom!" Followed by a toothy smiley and a sparkle in her eyes. I mean what do you say to such charm.

And then someone mentioned that she looked like Julie Andrews. And who doesn't like the Sound of Music?!

Kennedy goes to kindergarten

I NEVER thought I'd be the mom secretly crying underneath her sunglasses, but I AM! What a nerd! Kennedy did so good though, no tears, but I could see the relief in her face when she saw her little primary friend in her class.

My nerves were kicking in for her. I've been hoping this day would come for so long (while also scheming on how to get MacKenzie in there too... she looks old enough) and it's here. And look how cute. She was SO embarrassed!

If we're not moving at least I can go on a trip!

Why not go on a little plane ride to the south? It'll be my first real visit to "the Lone Star" and I can't wait. I hope a tornado comes through!

I went to Target to get the amazing beverage cooler 90% off and came home with no beverage cooler

Apparently today I am the mother who gets her kids whatever (one thing) they want in the toy/makeup isle. What's with that? It must have something to do with being gone for a week. Good thing I don't work!

Grayson did want "the HUGE Buzz Lightyear!!!" But really $129? (Rebecca if you see the really huge Buzz on 90% off just buy it and I'll pay you back.)

Okay and I made this apron for Nedra's future daughter-in-law's bridal shower tomorrow. If I'm super ambitious I'll get over to Harbor Freight and get my favorite $3 hammer and spray paint it for the bride also. But who am I kidding, Harbor Freight is a 15 minute drive in 45 minute traffic. We'll see.

Khristie- no pockets in this one either and I've decided I officially HATE the patterns I bought. There were 3 different aprons in the same pattern and they are all RETARDED when it comes to sewing the waist ties on! But it's not so bad to look at though yeah? Just don't turn it around to inspect.