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It's Monday night. We have had a great few days. Our family met with the Stake President last night as he set Spencer apart as a missionary. He is now Elder Blake. The Stake President let us each bear our testimony and talk to Spencer. Wow. Cryfest. In a good way. It was so great--I will never ever forget the feeling in that room.

Our open house on Sat. was good too. I always always stress getting ready for stuff like that, especially when food is involved. How much food do I make? How many people in our ward will come? Will people feel obligated to come or excited to come visit? How much meat, how many drinks, etc. BUT once the first person walks in the door, I am so happy. I love being with people. For about 4 hours, people came and wished Spencer well. I kept looking around thinking how great they were for supporting us and especially Spencer who has been at college the whole time we've lived here. They came anyway. It was such a good night.

On Sunday after his talk and the girls singing the EFY medley with all of the youth (I know), we just had Mark and Julianne and about 10 of Spencer's friends here for the remains of the food. It was perfect. Casual, relaxed, and fun. We celebrated.....

ALI'S BIRTHDAY!!! Happy 15 to Ali! It really seems like she should be turning 16, not 15. She wasn't crazy about the idea of not only having a Sunday birthday, but also sharing it with Spencer. But I have to say that many friends really came through for her, visiting, bringing stuff.... Julianne made my favorite cupcakes and we all ate them and played games. They also got Ali some cute jewelry. I think in the end it was a memorable birthday, because she got to share it. I'm so grateful for her and the action she brings into the home!  I love her!

We went to a fireside last night (and took Spence who is now our companion.) A couple in our ward spoke to our stake about living through the L.A. riots in 92. They lived right in the middle of it. Pictures of people with guns right outside their house! Also, their home was besieged by MUD during the fires and floods here in La Canada last year. So, the theme was BE PREPARED. I love talks on preparedness--not because I am prepared, although I do have my water and lots of wheat..
When I get this 19 yr. old off to Russia this week, after the mourning period every single mom has told me comes for a week or so, I am going to pull out the 72 hr kits, food storage, etc. and focus on preparedness this summer. They recommended that you should have lots of small bills and change in your house and you should always keep your gas above half tank. In the riots and again during the flooding, they had to evacuate quickly. There were long lines at gas stations and people being beaten up several times while trying to get gas. Anyone who knows me knows that is a little bitty prob of mine. I am always trying to drive just 3 more miles before the car runs out of gas. So, I am changing my ways! Organization, Preparedness..this summer.

THE SUMMER OF PREPAREDNESS 2011!!

Hey, maybe that can be a new blog segment. I'll become a preparedness guru. I need some inspiration, because I am just not feeling the blog right now. I'm busy with lots of things, but just have a hard time writing about it.

Well, I'm off to pack up this guy before we fly to Utah tomorrow to drop him off on Wednesday. It will be great! We just had him record all of our cell phone and home answering messages. I'm exhausted. Good night.