Where Have I Been?

Back in the saddle… Today is Sunday, December 9, 2007. I haven’t written in a while but that doesn’t really matter; I am going to write today. I just got home from church and it was a very gratifying set of meetings. I went alone today; Amie has come down with a combo of the stomach flu and a cold, Dorian was at Matt’s today (as usual) and I didn’t want stay home. Even though I don’t like attending by myself I am glad that I went.

We had a change in the Elder’s Quorum today. The outgoing president had only been there since the ward split, which is about a year and a half. The new president is a good man and this will be his third go and being president of an Elder’s quorum. Not that a change was needed, it will be a change that I am sure will be an inspired one. I also spoke briefly with the Bishop today… We are very close to my return to the fold. After my last interview with the Stake president, he and the bishop have discussed my readiness and it looks like by the end of the month it should happen. I became very emotional as the bishop told me these things, it felt like it was for real and not one of the times like the past where I was told one thing to not have it play out that way. One of the talks today in sacrament referenced "the Lord’s time" and I guess that is what I have been waiting for…

I haven’t written in a while and a lot has happened. Halloween was a very fun weekend. I had the girls here and we also hosted a Halloween party that was an absolute blast. On Halloween night Amie and I dressed up in costume and took the kids trick or treating and then came home and watched a scary movie. The girls were adorable in their costumes as Belle and Dora the Explorer, and Dorian was a very convincing Jack Sparrow (with his super dark eyes he pulls that off very well). I went as Buddy the Elf and Amie was a female version of the Devil (is there another type? HA). Our costumes were so convincing that we even won best costume at the Envision Halloween party. Before my marriage to Amie I never really got into the holiday that much, now it’s on the calendar and next year's costume is already on the mind.

Thanksgiving then came around... I had the girls again, this time for ten days. It was so great to have them here as it is always such a blessing. I have written this before but I reiterate how easy life seems to be when I have them close to me. They both have such cute personalities and I love them so very much; and they show so freely their love back to me. I wish they lived with me… Anyway, it was quite the family affair for the week. My parents came to town and stayed with us, Dennis and Megan and their family passed through town, my mom’s parents came down from Missoula, MT to spend some time with us as well. The last time I had so much family around me was the Yellowstone trip three and a half years ago. This time the circumstances were different and it was a very happy and loving experience. It was nice for my grandparents to meet Amie; they expressed the rave reviews she has received from Scott and Lynn and said that they had to meet her for themselves. We had a full house for most of the week with visitors in and out from all my family, Amie's local family, Amie's out of town family, they were everywhere. Amie does such a great job as a host that it baffles me. She is so elegant and easy to be around that people just flock to her. I feel such a grateful sigh as I think of how things are with her as my wife. I really love her and what she means to me. It was also great to have my kids be able to spend a lot of time with my parents. My mom and dad get daily, if not weekly time with their other grandchildren and they only get to see mine if the planets align themselves. Both Mom and Dad have said multiple times how wonderful it was to spend time with them (the girls)and us for Thanksgiving. I told my mom that I would have them the week after Christmas as well and it looks like they will be coming to visit again at that point. I am so glad to have my parents have a part in the life of my kids. It cannot be discounted how important that is.

Today is a good day, I will write more later…