THE PARK POST

We were blessed with a perfect weather weekend in Destin.   It is such a beautiful place! 

Sydney turned 8 this last weekend.  We decided to spend the weekend at the beach in Destin, Fl. to celebrate. She really wanted her ears pierced and so we took her to Claire's to get the job done.  She was so stoic and still and didn't move an inch when the earrings went through.  We are waiting to have her baptized at the end of October when my parents come to visit.  We are so glad she is part of our family!

The bishop called me in a few weeks ago and asked me if I would switch from being RS president to YW president.  I was so excited that I was able to go back working with the young women and especially my two girls, and also have a little "relief" from the challenges of being the RS president. (BTW I will never ever criticize another bishop or RS president again.)  In RS I learned about how much our church really does help the poor (both in spirit and temporary means) and I think I became a lot more compassionate than I ever have been.  Serving in the church is one of the greatest blessings in my life! 

We celebrated our anniversary this past Sunday, and decided to take a quick over-nighter to Callaway again.  This time we stayed in the main lodge and it was so much nicer than the cottages we stayed in last time.  Paige volunteered to watch the kids, and since we were so close and she can drive now we decided to let her take over. This is a beautiful new phase in our life!  We went to the hot air balloon glow again.  This time we got to watch some army soldiers jump from their plane and land on the beach.  It was really cool!  We went swimming and ordered smoothies and appetizers poolside, which was fun since we don't normally indulge that way.  The next day we rented bikes and rode all over the Gardens.  The bikes were free again, thanks to the military,  which made my husband elated.   It is amazing what 24 hours of time away alone together can do for a marriage.   "Chain...