For spring break this year we decided to visit Hilton Head, South Carolina. Alan's parents generously gave us a Marriott resort vacation week for Christmas and since we could get really good prices on airfare, we decided to take the boys to see the East Coast. We had heard wonderful things about Hilton Head including that the average temperature in March is 70 degrees, so we signed up. Turns out that a big storm blew through the Northeast a few days before our trip, dropping the temperatures during our vacation week to between 40 and 50 degrees. So it didn't end up being the warm trip that we were hoping for, but it was still a very fun trip.
The highlights of the trip were taking a day trip to Savannah, Georgia, and to Charleston, South Carolina where we got to take a ferry out to Fort Sumter. What a great way to learn some history! Of course we also enjoyed sleeping in, reading and walking on the beach. Elliot and Clark claimed that it wasn't truly a "family vacation" because we were missing so much of the family :( And while I missed having all the kids there too, I will say that after traveling with 6 children, it is pretty easy to travel with 2!
This year Elliot turned the big 16 and the stars all lined up in the heavens so that he could actually get his drivers license on his birthday. Needless to say, he is pretty excited about the whole driving without parents thing and truth be told, it is nice for us to be able to let him go without us. But then, I just get to worry about him instead! He is actually a very safe and cautious driver — it's all those other crazy drivers out there that I worry about! I just can't believe I have 5 children that drive....
Also on his birthday we invited some of his friends over for a surprise fondue birthday party. It was pretty tricky to try and keep everything a surprise, but we did get a video of his surprised face, so I think we pulled it off. The following Sunday we had his family party with siblings up from Provo and the grandparents. Pretty nice celebration I would say....
As a result of the latest transfers, Tess has a new companion, Sister LeFevre, who was actually her companion in the MTC. They get along really well together and so are quite excited to be serving together. The only downfall is that they know the same amount of Polish and are both senior companions, so there is no one who knows more Polish to turn to for help. The would both appreciate any prayers on their behalf as they continue to learn the language! We did some more photos this month which is always fun.
Miscellaneous
A few odds and ends...Elliot and Clark both got invited to attend the State math contest which doesn't sound fun to everyone (except Alan, of course), but they enjoy math and got out of school for the day, so why not? Good brain exercise!
On the job front, Alan has interviewed with several companies. The one that looks the most promising is with the church in the FamilySearch Department. It would mean a commute downtown everyday and quite a reduction in pay, but they have good benefits and Alan would be working on a Forum / Wiki project which he thinks he would really enjoy. So, we will see.
I had a big month with an assignment to speak in our Stake Conference as a "missionary mom." Elder Kikuchi was our visiting authority and said I was to speak for 3 minutes and no more. So I prepared carefully and practiced with the clock and Alan was proud to let me know that I didn't go over my 3 minutes! I sat on the stand with Elder Kikuchi, the Stake Patriarch and the entire Stake Presidency. At least I had a comfy seat — right?! It was actually a great experience that I am grateful for and I very much felt guided by the Lord as to what he wanted me to say which is always a great learning opportunity for me.
Another "out of my comfort zone" opportunity came my way when a friend suggested that I go with her to Congressman Jim Matheson's office to protest Obama's health care bill the Friday before it was being voted on. Yup, in front of all the local news reporters I held a sign, chanted and even went into his office and filled out paperwork so that my voice could be heard. And although the bill passed, Matheson didn't end up voting for it, so hey, maybe my voice matters?