Whoop!

When Brian left A&M to go on his mission he took a two year leave of absence from the school. Then, because he went out later than expected, he wasn't able to go back to A&M in the Fall. So his leave of absence lapsed and he had to officially reapply.

Yesterday he found out that he was accepted to A&M again! We figured he would be, but it's nice to have the official word.

So he will leave us for Aggieland in January. Now we have to find him a place to live....

What's My Problem?

I have a bunch of relatives coming to visit beginning on Wednesday. So what am I doing? I'm watching reruns of "Criminal Minds". Why can't I get my fanny out of the chair and get busy cleaning?

Someone tell me to get off my duff!

Government Health Care

Today the Senate democrats have secured the 60 votes needed to advance health care legislation. Senator Orrin Hatch made the following remarks about the bill:

"I am going to spend my time before this historic vote to highlight some very important numbers, so every member of this chamber understands what they are voting to advance. Make no mistake, our actions today will not be without consequences. History and our future generations will judge us on this. Here are some numbers:

0 – the number of provisions prohibiting the rationing of health care.

0 – the number of government-run entitlement programs that are financially sound over the long-term.

10.2 percent – our national unemployment rate, the highest in 26 years.

70 – total number of government programs authorized by the bill.

1,697 – times the Secretary of Health and Human Services is given authority to determine or define provisions in this bill.

2,074 – total pages in this bill.

2010 – the year Americans start paying higher taxes to pay for this bill

2014 – the year when this bill actually starts most of the major provisions of this bill

$6.8 million – cost to taxpayers per word

$8 billion – the total amount of new taxes on Americans who do not buy Washington-defined health care.

$465 billion – cuts in Medicare at a time when it faces a $38 trillion unfunded liability to finance more government spending.

$494 billion – total amount of new taxes in this bill

$2.5 trillion – the real cost of the bill

$12 trillion – our total national debt

These numbers are facts. They are undisputable."

These numbers frighten me. Our children and grandchildren are going to be paying for this forever.

Christmas Stockings - Completed!!

The Christmas stockings are complete! Here they are hanging from the mantle (as requested by Sarah):

Here is a close up of one girl stocking (Kimberly's - initial "K") and one boy stocking (Brian's - initial "B"):

I have to say, I am very pleased with the way they turned out. I have wanted to make us all some sort of quilted stocking for years, and these are even better than what I envisioned.

Also, what do you think of the stocking hangers? I have always had big resin Christmas figures - snowmen, bears, penguins, etc. - but this year I wanted to buy simple stocking hangers so I can decorate the mantle. Kimberly, Robert, and I like them, but the boys don't. They are going to lose this battle though. I really like these hangers with the stockings.

Now to take down the stockings and put my Thanksgiving stuff back on the mantle! At least for one more week!

Christmas Stockings!

Last year I started making new Christmas stockings for my family. As is typical of many crafts I begin, I did not complete them last year. I resolved to finish them this year, and I just might do it! I have completed two of them (all except the fuzzy white stuff that will go around the top). Here is a picture of one of them (picture it with fuzzy white stuff around the top):

Here is a close up so you can see how I zig zagged around the pieces to give them a finished look:

I have to say, I think they are turning out pretty cute, and I'm pretty impressed with myself for getting them done (almost).

Too Soon?

Remember how I started counting down the time until Brian would return home from his mission? Do you think it's too soon to start counting down the time until the five year project Robert is working on in Abu Dhabi is over?

One week down!!

Only 259 more to go!

I think it may be a little too soon for that....

Pictures!

As I mentioned in a previous post, Jeffrey had some pictures taken last week. I will confess, these were for his mission papers, but they were also in place of his Senior pictures, which we never got taken (hanging head in shame). He didn't want his Senior pictures taken until he got his braces off, and after that we just never got around to it. Oh well, these ones are pretty nice.

I toyed with using this one for his missionary picture, but then decided the all black look was a little stark for that.

I like this casual picture.

The photographer caught Jeffrey in the middle of a laugh. I really like this one, so I ordered one sheet just for me!

I like this one of him sitting down. We had to get it fairly close though, because if it's farther away you can tell that Jeffrey is sitting very awkwardly. Apparently he doesn't bend very well!

This is the picture we ended up using as his missionary picture. I had to download it to the official papers, so I was able to crop it a little closer. It's more of a head and upper body shot on the forms.

I love this picture. This is what we call the GQ shot!

The photographer told Jeffrey to give him a "Jeffrey pose", and this is it! I had to buy this because it is definitely Jeffrey's pose!
He's a pretty good looking kid, if I do say so myself!

Sometimes Things Just Work Out

Jeffrey had always planned to finish 2 semesters at A&M and then go on his mission. Lately he's been looking at his future (after mission) classes. He passed a lot of AP exams, and he doesn't want to start any Accounting classes until after his mission. So if he goes to school next semester, he would have at least one semester after his mission where he would only need one or two classes. Kind of a waste of time and money. So 2 weeks ago he told us he wanted to stay home next semester and try to leave on his mission as soon as he turned 19 on March 8th. Robert and I are fine with that. This means he can turn in his mission papers December 8th (90 days before his birthday). Coming up quickly! I told him he needed to try to find a doctor and dentist in College Station, as a medical exam and dental exam are both required. He said he would look.

During the week I started stewing about his medical exam and dental exam (because stewing is something I do very well). When and where would he get them done in College Station? His bishop said the only member dentist he knew was in Hempstead - 45 minutes away, and he didn't know a member doctor. Last Monday I got to thinking that since Jeffrey was coming home for the weekend, and could be here by 1:00 on Friday, maybe I should try to make some appointments. Sounds plausible, right?

Well, it would be except for two things:

1. Jeffrey was cut loose from our pediatrician (yes, we still use one - he's great) when he graduated, and the GP Robert and I have used has moved, we know not where.

2. Our dentist, who we really like, doesn't work Fridays.

So, I had to find a new doctor and dentist who could fit him in on Friday - 4 days away.

2-1/2 years ago we had to get immunizations for travel. The doctor the company sent us to was very nice. He's also an Internal Medicine doctor, so capable of doing a physical. I called the office and was able to get an appointment at 2:00. Perfect.

On to finding a dentist. A dental office had opened near our new Kroger. Someone in the ward had used them and said they were very nice. I called and miraculously was able to get an appointment for 4:00 on Friday! I couldn't believe it! They were able to fit him in at the exact time we needed them too.

So by Friday evening his medical exam and dental exam were both completed! By a very nice doctor (who we will probably use from now on) and a very nice dentist! Woo hoo!

Oh, and Saturday morning we were able to get pictures taken so he could send in a nice one with his mission papers.

So, basically, all that Jeffrey has left to do is finish filling out the little bits of his papers that haven't been completed, and meet with his bishop and stake president. He should easily be able to get that all done by December 8th.

I'd like to say I'm impressed with myself for getting his appointments set up so quickly, by I'm pretty sure the Lord played a big part in getting it all accomplished. There must be a reason for Jeffrey to get out on his mission quickly!

He's Off :(

Robert left today for his new job in Abu Dhabi. We won't see him again until at least Christmas, and possibly not even then. That's a pretty long time to have him 8180 miles away.

We had a nice last weekend. We got to spend time as a family - all six of us - which was nice. And today he got to ordain Scott to be a Priest, with Brian and Jeffrey standing in the circle. What a special experience. Those are the memories I'll hold onto right now.