One more step....

Another step down the missionary road has come to pass.  We had the privilege and honor of taking Cortnie to the temple yesterday to recieve her endowments. She is now one more step closer to being a full time missionary.  I could not be more proud of her and the woman she has become. 

We decided to take a few extra days in Vegas since it was Fall break and splurge a little bit.  Rob's sister, Leann and her family met us there on Thursday night.  We laughed so late in to the evening and shared some really funny memories.  They brought along my two nieces, one nephew and nephew-in-law along with the precious great-niece.  One more is on the way any time now.  We had such a blast. We live close to Las Vegas but we never really spend anytime there.  We took the kids walking down the famous strip - during the day of course.  We had  a great time looking at the shops and the huge hotels.  I love to walk so it was wonderful. That afternoon we met my sister and brother as well as my brother in law at the airport.  My parents were suppose to be with them, but my mother ended up with knee replacement surgery earlier this week so they were not able to be there.  It broke Cortnie's heart that neither of her grandparents were there, but she knew she needed to go anyway.  We spent the rest of Friday doing what Cortnie wanted as it was her birthday - going to subway for dinner, playing games and eating cookies.  My kind of fun!

We ventured to the temple the next morning for a sweet spiritual time.  The ladies there are so sweet and nice and treated her like a queen.  She looked so precious when I first saw her all dressed in white and had the largest smile on her face.  I would love to have taken a picture!  The temple matron spoke with Cortnie for almost an hour before we headed to the chapel with only three minutes to spare.  As we approached the chapel, we saw family and friends sitting on both sides - they were all suppsoe to be on one side.  We were told to go to the left side but I told them we had family on the right side too.  I got a little bit hurt and upset when we were told that they were not going to be able to go with us as the session was full.  I thought they would ask for volunteers to wait for the next one.  Instead, we were told again it was full.  I tried to explain to them that Leann drove for eight hours but to no avail.  I was very persistent though when I told them that one person was her father and that he WOULD be going with us no matter what.  The temple people scrambled to try to accomodate all of our friends that were there, but in the long run, three were left behind.   I am not sure why either cause there was room that they could have fit in.  I felt so bad for them....

The session was wonderful and cortnie tried so hard to pay attention. There is no way that you will learn all you need to know the first time you go to the temple.  No way at all.  She just tried to feel the spirit.  It was really hard to do that though when Rick (my brother-in-law). pulled the armrest off the chair as he stood up.  Then my brother made the comment "leave it to Rick to break the temple".  I had to chuckle and still do when I think about it.  We finally made it to the celestial room though and all of our family and friends were there. We had about 20 people come from our ward and that means so much to me.  She hugged everyone of them as did I.  It was so beautiful. 

The rest of the day was spent taking pictures and visiting with family.  All too soon the weekend came to a quick close and we were headed home.  I have been to Vegas five times in the last two months and I am really worn out.  The next few weekends will be spent preparing a girl for the mission of her life.  It is hard to believe that it is getting so close.  I try to be happy about it, but sometimes the tears just start to roll down my cheeks.  I am a proud mother but also a very tenderhearted one. 

The Girls with Jericho Road!!

Mother Daughter Weekend

What an awesome, most wonderful weekend I just had.  I was able to spend two days in Las Vegas with my two beautiful daughters and one of my favorite people - my sister Tina.  We had the most relaxing, inspirational, crazy, awesome time.  Tina has been trying to get me to go to Time Out for Women for the past few years but things have always come up.  This year, I was determined to go.  I was even more excited that I got to take my daughters along and spend time with them.  I wish I could do it all over again right now. 

Time out for Women is a conference that is put on through Deseret Book and is all about the LDS faith.  They brought in the most wonderful speakers and musicians for the event.  In fact, my daughters have always loved Jericho Road.  They were just talking a few weeks ago about the concerts that they have been too of theirs and how they wished they would perform more.  I found out a couple of months ago, that Jericho Road was going to be at the conference.  I  did not tell my daughters though.  As we sat down on Friday night, the girls were reading through the programs.  Brittnie pointed right to the Saturday schedule and mentioned somehting about one of the speakers.  I just agreed and waited. She turned back to her reading and suddening shouted at Cortnie that Jericho Road was there. They both excited looked at me and I started to laugh.  The look on their faces was worth a thousands words.  They could not stop talking about it.  We had to be at the conference as the doors opened the next morning so we could get close seats. We ended up about 8 rows back in the middle. They were able to get their pictures taken with them and had CD's signed.  It was so fun!  I absolutely love their music too and I appreciate the kind of music that they sing.  It is all uplifting and full of faith.  It is the kind of music you dont' find around very often anymore. 

Besides the music, the speakers were amazing. I have not laughed or cried so much in a long time.  One speaker told about sending her son on a mission and he had health issues. She said the night before he was to enter the MTC, he was up in the middle of the night with high blood sugar.  As she went back to bed, she cried as she wondered who would take care of her son while he was away.  The spirit spoke to her that the angels would watch over him and he would be fine.  I have had those same feelings - I worry about Cortnie with her headaches so much.  I felt the spirit tell me that the angels would watch over her too and she would be fine.  How comforting!  She told us to trust God enough to trust his timing.  Other speakers told us it was okay to get upset or mad at situations.  We are all human and it is okay to let our feelings be known. We dont' have to keep them all inside all the time, but we need to express them and know how to let them out.  It is okay to get mad :-).  We were also told to laugh instead of getting angry. When my child ruins something, laugh about it instead of getting upset - I need to work on that one big time. Another wonderful quote was that the Lord never forgets me so how can I forget to remember Him and His work.  I dont' want to be forgotten so how can I forget Him?  Before we can reach for Jesus,we must first find time for Him in our lives and our homes.  We can't forget!!

I was so inspired and so touched.  I wanted to take it all it and remember it all....hopefully I can.

Besides the conference, we spent lots of time shopping and laughing.  We found a new place to shop in Vegas and had a great time. I dont' think we came out of any store without somebody buying something.  We were able to get clothes for Cortnie for her mission - things that make her look so beautiful and so mature.  She looked just like a missionary.  I had to hide tears many times as I will have to do many times in the next few months.  The time is quickly coming but not fast enough for Cortnie.  I am excited to take her to the temple next month. We have lots of family coming for that as well as Thanksgiving and her farewell.  It will be a very busy end of the year, but I am ready. In fact, I am running my first "marathon" in a couple of weeks - it is only a 5K, but I am going to do it.  One goal I set for myself for this year.  Live is great....I am so happy!!

Pressing Forward

Day after day, the pioneers walked and walked.  Day after day, we do the same.  We get out of bed to work, play, keep house, help with homework, play taxi driver, referree fights, shop for clothes and food, make bread, cook dinner...the list goes on and on.  However, I would have it no other way.  I absolutely love being a wife and mother!  I love taking care of my family and putting them first.  They are my life and my sunshine.  I am so thankful to have all of my family home right now. We are so enjoying having all the kids close.

Not much too terribly exciting has happened since we got Cortnie's mission call. School started up again so life is busy.  The whole house dreaded going back to school but we are settled in now.  I do have to say that my favorite day of the week is Friday cause I know the weekend is here and I get to be with my family.  Friday night is usually my night to spend with Rob too so I love it.  I am so blessed to have  job where I get to choose to not work on the weekends.  I get to have lots of vacation time and big checks that come at a time when needed to prepare for missions.  I get my evening offs and can be home with my family.  I wish I could get paid more, but I am happy and enjoy what I do.  If only ......but that is another story and I have resolved to try not to complain about it so much,.

We slowly are preparing for Cortnie's mission.  It is still three months away so we have lots of time. It is hard to shop for cold weather clothing when it is still over 100 degrees outside.  I have a feeling we will be making trips to Las Vegas or to Utah to purchase her wardrobe.  If I could only  get her to do her reading and other things she is suppose to do, it woudl help.  Maybe a mission will help her prioritize more and I know she will not be near electronics as much. That will be a huge help.  She has set her temple date for October 20th so we are getting ready for that.  Most of my family will be coming down as well as Rob's sister.  We will be staying in Vegas for a couple of days to play and get things done.  I am way excited to take her to the temple and share my favorite spot on the earth with her.  We also have tons of family coming down for her farewell so are trying to figure that all out.  I don't have room for them all here, so we are trying to make arrangements for places to stay.  It will be a busy weekend, but I am ready....not really, but will be. 

We did lose a treasured friend yesterday morning.  Denise Swartzman is the owner of the dance studio where my children danced for years.  I also worked there as her secretary. She was such a wonderful friend, teacher, mother, and leader.  She fought pancreatic cancer for over 10 years and it finally won. She was such a trooper and fought until the last minute when her body finally wore out. She passed away peacefully at home with her family around her.  She has touched the lives of so many people that they have rented a conference center at one of the casinos to hold her funeral.  We were hoping ot be there but are suppose to transport the youth to the temple that day to do baptisms.  In fact, all of my children are going and Rob is going to be doing the baptisms.  What a wonderful opportunity that will be. Denise is not a member of our church, but I am sure she understands and would want us there. Who knows, maybe someday we will do her work for her.  Rest in peace my dear friend, we will miss you.

So life goes on in our household. I am glad to say it is not as busy as it used to be.  I am so grateful for that and to have moments to spend with my family.  I truly do love being with them and being their wife and mother.

It is Finally Here!

So after a very long week and years of waiting, Cortnie finally got her mission call.  She was told last Sunday by our stake president that he had confirmation that it had been extended so should come this last week.  We calculated the days for mail to come from Utah, and figured it would be here Wednesday or Thursday.  When the mailbox was still empty on Thursday, disappointment was visable on Cortnie's face. She said it was not big deal, but you could tell it really was. 

I prayed really hard that it would come on Friday and headed off to work.  About 12:30, Cortnie called to say hello, She then screamed in my ear that it was here and in her hand.  She was heading out the door when the mailman came and did not leave until she checked the box.  Unfortunately for her, Brittnie and I were at work and she was kind enough to wait for us to get home.  We hurried home, set up computers and cameras, and finally it was time.  Grandparents were on the phone and on the computer (through skype) and others were on phones too.  She nervously opened the envelope and began to read.

Sister Beatty....you are hearby called to serve as a missionary in the Omaha, Nebraska mission.  The room was kind of silent and I thought, okay - now where I expected but that is okay.  She continued to read " and will be trained to serve as a tour guide in Winters Quarters".  Wow! Awesome!  We all shouted for joy and I remember looking at Rob who had his hand extended in a yahoo shout.  Now we were all excited!  I felt such peace knowing that this was the right mission for her.  She will be perfect as a tour guide and a missionary.  She did not realize that it would be freezing cold there though and is not too excited about that one.  It will definitely be worse that BYU was. 

She enters the MTC on December 5th and her stay there will include training as a tour guide.  I am surprised that she does not leave until then - it is like 19 weeks. Such a long time to wait to go.  However, it will give us lots of time to get her prepared to go.  We are looking at a farewell over Thanksgiving weekend so might have lots of people here for Thanksgiving this year.  I want her to go to the temple right now, but our bishop does not want her to go before a month out.  I dont' understand that and neither does my father so maybe we can change his mind.  In my heart, I wish Brittnie would go with us too. 

All in all, it was  a wonderful week and I am a very proud mother.  It will be hard when the times comes, but I get to be a missionary mother !!

My Mother

I just have to post a little blog to say how proud I am of my mother.  She has been through some major trials in her life and has had some very rough times.  For the longest time, I wanted so much to have my mother back, and she is here now.  She has made some major changes in her life and it is so wonderful.  I love spending time with her and listening to her laugh.  I love talking with her on the phone and can't wait to see her again.  Mom, you are the best. Hang in there.....I am so proud of you!!

Vacation....too bad it is not everyday

I love vacations!  I love being away from work.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if  we could work only 4 weeks a year and vacation the rest?  Right now, I think it would be wonderful.  I so do not want to go back to work tomorrow.  I want to  stay home for a week and vacation in my home....relaxing and doing nothing.  That will not happen though so I will have to live on the memories of California.

We had a great time in Northern California.  There was not much time between coming home from Utah and leaving again.  I spent my days at work and my evenings washing clothes so I could pack again.  Thursday afternoon I took off so I could get everything ready to leave early Friday morning.  I have decided that Southwest airline points are wonderful as I have been able to fly us free this whole summer.  Our trip to California would have taken us 14 hours to drive but we flew in 1 1/2 (but the one hour drive to our condo took us three). Still, it was much shorter than driving all day long.  It is fun to see the kids excited to fly too and fight over the window seat.  They can all have it as I take the middle - that way I have two hands to hold when we take off and land.  However, it has gotten to where it does not bother me anymore...I just use it as an excuse to hold Rob's hand. 

We stayed in Tina's timeshare condos again in Windsor, California which is about an hour outside of San Francisco.  The nice thing about condos is they have the full kitchens and we can cook some meals there and have fridges to put our food in.  It sure cuts back on the cost of eating out everyday.  We spend the first couple of days just sightseeing. We all wanted to go to a beach on the coast, but our drive never took us to the state park we were looking for. It only took us on a very curvy road that made people car sick.  We did find a small beach by some picnic tables so the kids were able to play in teh beach for a few hours.  I was not getting in - I don't swim in ice cold water.  It was funny - Rob said he was going to wade in just to get his legs wet, but the first wave in took him down and he went under. After that, he was in all the way.  The kids had a blast and it was nice on the beach - not like the beaches in Hawaii, but nice.  Our next trip was to the Redwoods to hike and picnic. We had a BBQ lunch under the huge trees of the forest.  The kids were able to climb inside of trees - all 15 of them and still have lots of room.  We went on a hike through the forest and even took mom and Mckay in their wheelchairs. I have not laughed that hard in a long time.  My mother was hilarious and had a great time. She was four wheeling in her wheelchair - literally.  I loved the mountains and the cooler weather. I love to be outdoors. 

We took a day to go to San Francisco and I loved it there.  I would love to go back just for a weekend with just Rob.  One day was just not long enough. It was fun to shop in some of the little shops outside of China town, go down Lombard Street, see the trolleys, and head to the wharf.  I would like to ride the trolleys just to say I have done it and I would love more time to stroll the shops of the wharf.  Trying to get everything into one day just was too much.  We did shop some and I bought a jacket that I love.  The kids had fun seeing the ships and shopping too.  They liked the cheap prices.  My whole family (I forgot to mention we went with my parents, Tina and Rick, Scott and Diane - and all their kids), went to Bubba Gumps for dinner.  My sweet husband I know would have loved to go there to eat seafood but the rest of us don't like it, so he sacraficed and ate greasy food with us.  I need to take him back for that seafood.

Our children decided they were not too tired to do a canoe trip that we had planned, so we headed for the Russian River one morning for that.  They were all excited - for about 1/3 of the trip.  I do agree, the trip needed to be much shorter.  It was only 10 miles long - but that is a long 10 miles to row.  Poor Rob was the "driver" of our canoe the whole way so his arms were pretty sore.  I got the luxury seat in the bottom of the canoe and needless to say, could not feel my bottom half when we were done.  I think I bruised my tail bone.  It was  beautiful day for the trip and the river was pretty.  The kids wanted to be done about 5 miles in but we had no choice but to go the whole way.  It was either that or carry our canoes the 5 miles back to our cars. 

I think the highlight of the trip for the kids was the day we spend at Six Flags.  I am spoiled and love Disneyland and DisneyWorld.  Six Flags was okay but it was not nearly as fun.  I think I only went on one ride but that was one ride enough.  Those roller coasters are very harsh and extreme there.  Too many twists and upside downs for me.  I was not too well when I got off for about a half hour.  I spent the rest of the day watching the kids loving them all.  They really enjoyed the rapids and came off soaked each time.  We were able to watch some marine shows and see live animals too there so that was nice.  It was another long day but it was a good one.

All too soon, it was our last day.  The kids spent the day at the swimming pool and game room. Rob went to an air museum with the guys and I packed everything one more time.  We packed into the car like sardines to take the trip back to the airport so Rick did not have to drive in the traffic.  It was a late flight home and we got here about 12:30 a.m.  We were tired but relaxed.  I wish we could have had another week.  Instead, I spend the next two days washing all the clothes and repacking them for the men in my life to go to scout camp for a week. They left today and I miss them already. I can't wait for them to come home so I can do 20 loads of laundy again :-)

I do have to mention, Boyd went on a mini mission the last two days. I thought for sure he would be too tired to go, but he really wanted to go.  He actually got a "call" for his mission and spent it with the elders here going to all their investigators.  He loved it!  He said it makes him want to go on his mission even more.  I love those opportunities for my children.  I love vacations...I love being a mother