More like Him November Update

In the month of November I learned to be more patient.  Not patient, just more patient.  :)

I have been learning this lesson for years, it manifests itself in different ways, this time it is waiting on mission papers to be submitted. 

Crazy things happen to my Kota when he was getting ready to file his papers.  The state of Minnesota lost his papers for his driver's license.  We had to wait on his driver's license before we were able to send the papers on to the bishop.  We were all set up to send the papers to Kota's Minnesota Bishop.

Kota got his driver's license two days before he moved back to Ohio.  When he moved back, the papers that we filled out online did not automatically get transferred to our Ohio bishop.  When we submitted the papers a few weeks ago they went to the Minnesota bishop.  We had to wait for him to release them to the Ohio bishop.

It seems like a lot of waiting on our part.  I would normally be upset by all the delays, but I knew all of this things will happen on the Lord's time.  Maybe all the previous tests helped me endure this one better.  

Now the stake has his papers and we are waiting on people to get back from vacation to get an interview with President Talley.  Then we will wait again for the apostles in SLC to review his papers.  This has been a month of waiting.  We do look forward to the call so we know what kind of stuff to buy the kid.

I can't believe this day is here.  It seems like just yesterday he was singing in Primary, "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission."

Blessings Counted

 First blessing counted for me was that all four of us were together today.  It means more now that Kota was gone for awhile.  We had a small meal with one of my favorites, homemade dinner rolls.  My family usually makes Great Grandma Steigerwalt's recipe every year.  It makes about 5 dozen rolls.  I made a 1/2 batch.  We had breakfast out of these rolls too.  Mmmm!

Kyle brought a new tradition to me when we got married.  Homemade whipping cream, I do not recall ever eating homemade whipped cream, before being married.  I'm pretty sure I only remember Cool Whip.

 With just the four of us I don't cook a big turkey, as we don't do well with leftovers.  So we  made a turkey breast and Kyle takes over the carving of the little piece of meat.  It was so tender and juicy and delicious!

I only caught a picture of Kayla before putting the camera down and getting the final touches together.

 Kyle filled the bird feeder twice today so even the birds had a Thanksgiving feast.  We enjoy watching the local birds coming around and visiting the backyard feeder.

It was a nice, quiet day at our house.  Just what I needed. 

Decisions, Decisions

When I think of Kayla sometimes, I remember this.

The little girl that wrapped herself around her daddy's finger.  The girl that was so happy and brought joy to all around her.  I had stories from all her teachers about how she brings a smile to her face.  How she was always humming and singing to us, even as a baby.

My little sweet pea.

 

Now we  are trying to figure out what to do in the future.

My little sweet pea gets really, upset trying to figure it out.  Why do we have to make such decision when we are so young?

I'm glad that she knows how to call on the powers of heaven to help her make such decisions.  I'm glad she knows her Heavenly Father.  It is so hard to watch this decision making process, this is where I have to trust her to do the things we've taught her since she was little, but if not...
we love her regardless.

This month's lesson in being like the Savior is to trust in Him.  To know that not everything is in the power of me, but all things are possible in the power of my God.  Phew, tough lesson.

Catch up from a Crazy Few Weeks

So what happened with the clan since homecoming...where do I begin?

 

The girl that we have been having discussions with got baptized.  By my son.  Wow!  I love that our guys hold the priesthood. 

 

We did some local farm visits to pick up our pumpkins and gourds that we decorated with.  We can't beat the little roadside pick you own and pay with the honors system.  Inexpensive and gorgeous.

I had two nights of parent/teacher conferences, those are marathon days and it always amazes me what parents say.  Some are happy and excited what you do and others will pick a part a program that you spent hours on.  I understand and just keep trying to do my best.

Then I spend 3 days and 2 nights for our annual outdoor school with the kids.  This year we worked really hard at getting our common core lesson plans and new techniques for intervention squared away.  We worked so hard!  It felt good to get so much accomplished.

Kota's been home for about a month now.  It is like he was never gone.  He has grown, he listens more than he used too, I hope that keeps growing.  Maybe I've grown too.  I am slower to react to the snippy comments that we do to those we love.  I enjoy getting a Kota hug daily.  I really missed those.

We are in full preparation for the mission.  Papers are submitted, we are just waiting for the bishop to send them on.  We are hoping for the mission call by Christmas.

So much going on.  There are a lot of changes on the horizon.  I can't believe November is already 1/2 over.

Where does the time go?

Homecoming (The Last One)

 How long does it take to get ready for a formal dance?  Hmmm, 4 hours.  Yep, by the time the hair is rolled in hot rollers, then styled, bobby pinned, etc.  The end result...gorgeous.  Even better, is that our friend Brooke does it for her.  Trade used to be babysitting for free.  Trade now, take Brooke's daughter to YW meetings.  I think that is a fair trade.

We only took a few pictures and  this is the best one.  Kayla didn't want anymore.  Her date Christian took her out to Jake's Steakhouse in Ashland.  She was happy about that.  She laughed later about Christian telling her, "Don't move, I'm going to get your door."  She had fun.  I am proud of my daughter who chooses to group date and make her dresses modest.  They go and have fun, they are not worried about dating or being in a "relationship."  I think that has helped her out.  I was not the same at her age and really have learned from her what I "should have" done.

My most proud moment was her telling me about the grinding songs protest.  The kids her age like to grind when they dance.  Grinding is like "dirty dancing."  She said a huge group of students sat down on the floor to "protest" the lack of grinding music.  They were telling Kayla and her group of friends to sit down.  Kayla in all her frankness (she gets from her dad) tells that, she came to dance and not sit on the floor.  I love this girl!  She is a good example of her standards, I'm glad she can be like this, I'm proud of her.

I can't believe it is the last time we'll be getting a child ready for a homecoming dance.  It was worth the hours running around getting flowers, inserts for the modesty and of course the major hair job.  The time with my daughter is priceless.

Folger's Commerical

 Do you know that Folger's commerical they play at Christmas time, where the mom wakes up and finds that her son (who has been gone awhile) made coffee?  Well, that's what it felt like in the Crawford house this morning.  No coffee, we don't drink that, but I found evidence of a child sneaking in during the night.

 A basket of clothes....a pair of giant tennis shoes  (that he stomps through the house in)

If these weren't enough, a driver's license on the bathroom mirror confirms it all.

 Yep, he's really here.  The family is once again complete.  Boy, did I miss his presence. 

Joyful day in Ohio!

Life at the Fair

What  do you go to the county fair for?  For me this has just been a part of life to look forward to every Septemember.

  Growing up on  a small farm farm we (Dad) raised animals.  Then we got to show them at the fair through 4-H.  I loved every minute of 4-H.  Doing the projects, showing the animals, getting ribbons, it was fun.

So fun, that I always thought that we would have a mini farm of our own.

So some day, when I get that mini farm of my own,  I want to have these cows.

Aren't they just cute?  They look like they could make chocolate milk, don't they?

 This little guy was up for being petted.

Pygmy goats are so cute to, maybe a couple of these running around would be fun.

Once again, hanging out with the Spellmans.

 

I showed sheep for most of my 4-H experience.  But, my favorite thing to show honestly, was pigs.  I only did that one year.  Who knew?

To answer my original question.  I go to the fair for french fries.  They never quite taste the same any where else.  I eat mine drowned in vinegar.