July 2016

I worked the 1st and 2nd and had the 3rd-6th off. My mom came to town on the 30th to visit her mother who has had some major health issues since the 31st of May. May dad arrived on the evening of the 2nd. On Sunday Nathan was ordained an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood. To learn more about the priesthood you can go to this website https://www.lds.org/topics/melchizedek-priesthood?lang=eng Sunday night we celebrated Nathan's birthday. He received a combination of graduation/birthday gifts and a few things to help prepare him for his mission.

Monday was the 4th of July and we headed down to the beach in the morning. Then we came back to watch a Finding Dory, have a barbecue and hang out as a family. Gramma Ski provided the family with a ton of water balloons and we had an epic water balloon fight out on the street. Then some of the kids went swimming and took my camera in the pool (it's okay, it's waterproof). After dinner we headed over to the other side of town to watch fireworks.

Tuesday Nathan went to the Houston Temple to receive his Endowment. To read about that you can go here https://www.lds.org/topics/temples?lang=eng. This was a special time for him and it was a necessary step to prepare to serve a mission. The temple is one of my favorite places to be. It is a place of peace and spiritual strength. And I love to be there with my family.

On July 14th Nathan participated in his last board of review for his Eagle Scout. He passed and we're just waiting on the paperwork to arrive. By the time the paperwork gets processed he will already be out on his mission but it is nice that he managed to complete his Eagle Scout award before he left.

Late that same night Linda and Jenny flew in to visit for the weekend. Friday we went down to Galveston, had lunch at The Spot, toured the Bishop's Palace, saw a film about the Sept 8th, 1900 storm that took so many lives in Galveston, and walked around downtown Gtown. Then we hit the beach before heading home.

Saturday we went to the zoo (and showed them the Medical Center, where I work), Costco and then home to hang out and relax.

Sunday we went to visit the USS Texas Battleship and the San Jacinto Monument. That evening we took a walk over to Sonic and enjoyed half-price shakes before they had to leave early the next morning.

It was so great to have them come and visit us! As I am now blogging I realized that I didn't take any pictures of them visiting us, I will have to do a better job next time. (Yes, that's a not-so-subtle hint that we want you to come back.) Anna left for Girl's Camp on the 18th. And, like past years, she had a fabulous time. She returned home on the 23rd.

July 25th began band season. As a percussionist, Anna starts band camp one week before the regular band starts. She was doing half day rehearsals this entire week and Jaron began two-a-days on August 1st. And then, before I knew it, July 27th arrived. We got up bright and early to head for Houston International. It's a 50 minute drive from our house, not as close as Hobby, and we had to be there by 6:15. We got there with both grace and style and we saw him off. I'll be honest, it was not one of the easiest things I've ever done. It was a small help that we had just done this with Rachel 51 weeks earlier so we can see the end in sight for her mission, helping give us perspective. But oh how we'll miss him! He's such a great kid and he has so much to offer his fellow man, I know it will be worth the while. In the meantime, we get to strengthen our faith and patience.

The rainbow was in the sky as Jason and I arrived back in Friendswood. It was nice to see a reminder that God keeps his promises to His children.

July 30th Jason took me to see Wicked! Deb and Jeff Carico had also purchased tickets for the same show and they had intended to bring both their boys with them. Luc decided not to go so Nic invited Anna. The three couples all went together and we had a great time! We love this musical and haven't seen it since the spring of 2009.

On Sunday the 31st we were at church and who should happen to show up? Sister Robinson!! She is one of the missionaries who we had over for Christmas and she had been moved to an area over in SugarLand several months ago. But she needed to come to our church building for something and surprised us by being there when church was over. Anna was so excited! She served with Sister Robinson last summer on her mini-mission and just loves her. We were able to have her and her new companion come to dinner the following Sunday because they were back at our building for a second week in a row. Sister Robinson returned to her home state of CA the 16th of August and is now off at college.

And just like that, July is over.