September Synopsis

September----My Dad and Mom's birthdays are in September and now that they're gone, this month brings memories of them. I was blessed to have goodly parents, that weren't perfect, but real close. I never doubted that they loved me and they were always there for me. Thanks Dad and Mom, love you forever!!

I'll be doing DIBELS testing this month. Those little kindergarten kids are so little and so cute!! They're what makes the job.

Garrett and Zandra left for Ghana. After a LONG flight they arrived to a new adventure. Tired, but ready to forge on and make the most of the next three months.

Zandra got her hair braided by 5 ladies and it took 3 hours, but after a week she had Garrett help her take it all out because it hurt he head so much and was so heavy.

Garrett helps with micro-loans. Zandra is his support and is helping teach Science and English at the elementary school. They live with the principal of the school, who is also the Branch President. They have already sung in church, and have callings. Zandra was handed a Primary manual to teach their first week there and Garrett is serving with the Young Men. It's the rainy season there so they are getting a lot of rain and have had some pretty scary lighting storms as well. The first two weeks were quite an adjustment, but now they are doing well and love the people and are acquiring a liking to some of the food. They go into the capital and shop and get or cook comfort food when they can. The kids absolutely love them.

We had our annual Neighborhood get-together on the back porch. We had a great turn-out and got in some good chat time. We feel blessed to live among such great people.

Amie, Langston and I caught a flight out to Iowa to see Danica play a game. We had some good "Girl" time and chats. We showed Amie around and went into Omaha and saw the Winter Quarters Temple, the downtown area, and the famous pedestrian bridge that crosses over the Missouri River. There's a spot on the bridge where you can be in Iowa and Nebraska and one time!

Danica played well and gave us a reason to cheer her on. They won!
It was good to see her. We were glad we could go. Danica's doing good in school and is making the most of her time on the field.

Thanks Matt for letting me borrow Amie and Langston for five days!
Jaxson and Kennlyn are playing soccer and doing quite well. Jaxson even understands the concept of the game now and how to pass and score!

Dale left for his once in a lifetime hunt while I was gone. He went to do the Muzzleloader Elk Hunt in Blanding. This is suppose to be the place where all the BIG elk are. Well, the weather was pretty bad most the time they were there and he did get a shot at one, but missed! They saw and heard them all around them. He said it was still a great hunt because the area was so pretty and he was in good company.

He went with Dave Rayfield and Shannon Follett. They did have a good time. Maybe next time he'll bring one home.

The Mallory's came and I tagged along with them and we went to Salt Lake to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Brothers Circus and then to a Fun Park. It was a fun day----thanks Amie for letting me tag along!

We got a call from Andrew and he let us know he bought a motorcycle so he has wheels as well as Lindsay. I do have to say he better be wearing a helmet!!

He's enjoying his job, but had a little scare when he was up with a student and they were doing a maneuver called a auto rotation. It's where they turn off the engine and then land the helicopter as if the power went out. Well the student hit the wrong pedal and put the helicopter in a spin! Andrew was able to hold his composure and they landed ok. Once on the ground the student asked Andrew how he stayed so calm. Andrew just said, "Well somebody had to so we could land this thing, and that's my job!" Andrew did admit he got a little nervous though. We're just glad all went well. I told him my prayers were answered---I pray for his safety every day!

Andrew and Lindsay took the kids on an outing to see some of the sights around them. They've also been into DC a bit and Lindsay got to the temple with some ladies in the ward.

Nate's still in Colorado and while he was there they had a major rainstorm that flooded an area close to where he was but he didn't get the brunt of it. It was pretty bad, some people were stranded for days. We had a real cold snap here as well.
Kim keeps busy and was able to go spend a weekend with Nate and they got in some hiking.

It's been a busy month with little bits of each season weather wise. I lit a fire in the fireplace and then gave in and turned on the heat. Crazy, huh?

Well there you have it, my September Synopsis. A comprehensive review; a condensed statement or outline.