Some things change while some things remain the same.

Most people know we have been house hunting for the past 2 years. We would really like to find the house we are just going to stay in for a very long time. While the house we a currently in is perfectly lovely and I could happily live here until I die... The desire for a home on a little bigger piece of property is there. I would also never choose to live in a home owners association again. It makes me feel sick every time I get an e mail or attend a meeting. blah!

So we look and look and look.

Last week we looked at a beautiful house, it had a basement, big yard, no HOA, quiet street, close to the new temple... All things I would love to have. We came home and went about the rest of our Saturday.

As the day progressed and turned into Sunday I wondered why we weren't talking about this house. We both liked it. What could be the problem? My desire to be free from someone telling me what I can and can't do to my own house is sometimes overwhelming.

But there has been a little nagging voice telling me it's just not time yet. Well little voice, that is just not what I want to hear!

Then last Sunday afternoon President Wilcock called to see if he could talk with Andrew and I.

While we waited we talked about how we hadn't been talking about the great house we had seen and if this could be the reason. And of course, what could be worse than high counsel?

Well Andrew was released form the high council and called to be the 2nd couselor in the bishopric.

So I guess we will be in this house for a few more years at least. OF course I really would be fine if I never moved. At least I can stop hurting my brain thinking about moving.

It will be new and different. I hear I will be a bishopric widow, we'll see how it goes.

I on the other hand am loving my calling, teaching the 10-12 year old girls in primary. This is pretty much my first time serving in primary, I don't count the 7 times I've served in the nursery. They are so fun and ready to learn each week!

I'm pretty awesome...

October 7th was the last day of school before Fall break. Gunner wanted to compete in the battle of the books with some friends so we went to watch. They answered questions from four books and did a great job! I was feeling pretty proud.

After I went over to Angela's to can some chicken for the first time. I tried to eat canned chicken from the store once... I was not loving it. So I had a 40 pound box to cut up and can.
And wow a few hours later I now have 35 pint jars of chicken good for at least 3 years! I feel so awesome! And of course I never mind spending the afternoon with Angela. She was so nice to show me how to do this and let me use her canner.
Now every time I go into the food storage room I smile to myself.

Preschool Field trip

Rigdon is Loving Helping Hands Preschool. His cousin Daigen is also in his class which thrills him. It is so strange to think that this is my baby!

Anyway we took a trip to the farm. We saw baby cows, donkeys, horses, chickens, turkeys...
And turtles! Yes, Albert will grow to this size.Hopefully I will get a bigger yard someday. I've got some time.

We had such a great time! I think it's so fun to watch children interact with animals and to check them out.

Gunner's Birthday

Well Gunner has survived to be 11! We had a small party with cousins (my favorite kind) he is now enjoying his gift of getting to play football.

For his special day he wanted pancakes with chocolate chips for breakfast, we had banana bread with chocolate chips for after school snack, and he wanted Arby's for dinner. Fine with me, less mess. We had a giant chocolate cake for dessert! It was a great day for Gunner! And to top it all off... surprise, this new pet tortoise Albert.

Gunner is a fun kid, he has so many talents it's a little unfair. If we can just guide him in the right direction he is going to be amazing!

Gunner loves to sing, play piano,(not practice) play video games,(really he would do this all day if you let him)play with his cousins,(he idolizes his cousin Conner who is just the best example for him) hang out with Alert, read,He is loving football, he loves babies, and peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches.

Piano recital 2011

In September Ashlynn and Mason performed in their annual piano recital. They both enjoy their teacher Lori Mecham. And I have to say Grandpa Gillespie would have been proud that they had their pieces memorized.

On a side note... the woes of having your daughter old enough that she won't let you fix her hair for her. It's cute, but I would have opted to see her face!

Grass head and a loaf of bread.

Just a few things Rigdon has done at the best preschool in the land.

Gunner, Arrow of Light

Gunner earned his arrow of light in September. He is on his was to Boy Scouts.
Andrew did a wonderful job on his face. He has such talent.
Shaking hands with Brother Egbert.

This happened on the same day that my sister Emilee went through the temple for the first time. We decided to divide and conquer I went with Emilee, and Andrew went with Gunner. It worked out well.

When you have a large family that's just the way it works out sometimes. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Somehow I missed these...

I was looking over my blog and realized I never posted the kids first day of school pictures!

What a slacker!So here they are. Ashlynn's first day of junior high! She was very nervous but trying to hide it.
Gunner, Mason, and Sienna just tickled to go!
And Rigdon patiently waited for his first day of preschool.

They all love it! So far it's going great!