10.4.15

Wasn't conference wonderful? I love that where ever you are in the world you can see it or hear it, maybe at a different time.. But still get to see it. How awesome to have 3 new apostles and hear their witness. I'm not even sure what talk was my favorite. I loved Elder Bednars testimony of the apostles who he has served with. It shows of their testimonies, but also of their love for each other!

I was feeling a little sad that I haven't connected with our elders lately. I didnt even know when the last transfer happened! And we got a new missionary.  Well we had 2 of them over for General conference sat. Morning and it made me feel a little better. I loved that they had fun socks. I hope you have fun socks.. Tights.. Something that you can individualize. Our cat, Precious even like them.. Thats not very common.

Well big new for me this week. My glasses came in.. I'm now old.. I know people who wear glasses who arent old, but in my case my eyes are needing help because I'm getting older. I've heard people say that when you turn 40, youre eyesight goes.. I'm happy that I made it a few years past 40!

Pics. 

You have cinnamon rolls fro gen. Conference, right?!

Glasses

And a little bit of sleeping during conference

Elder chicon and precious

Our elders watching conference

Their socks and shoes

Bro. Shoop and I went to Tugboat Annie's friday for our date. There were a few clouds.. It was beautiful.

And the best!! Melissa and Chaz will be here tonight! Soooo happy!!

And it was one year ago today that we were at the conference center and saw so many of our rms! And the next day said goodbye to Melissa with her living in utah! 

9.27.15

A couple of fun Keagan stories..  

He asked his friend Rebecca from Dupont to homecoming. It is Oct 10th. He got a bunch of suckers in a bouquet and made a note that said something like it would suck if you didnt go to homecoming with me. I can't believe i didnt get a pic. It was so cute.

They started another swing dance group. They meet on tuesday nights at the puget and yew building. He loves it. I'm happy he found something he loves!

This week I've been getting ready for Melissa and Chaz to come next week. We're throwing a bridal shower for her and I've been trying to get ready for that. Attached is her invite. So.. Sorrynot sorry the next few weeks will be filled with wedding stuff! And a puc of one of their engagement pics. #theyaresocute 

I loved the womens general conference last night except because im in the stake.. I got to sit on the stand. I would of much rather stayed at home to listen to it. I'm super excited to hear general conference next week. I'm looking forward to being home. The last two times we've been in utah which has been super fun, but I'm also looking forward to being home. (and having homemade cinnamon rolls). Im hoping to have the missionaries over for a session. 

I was a little sad last week to realize there was a transfer.. A new missionary and I didnt even realize it. I've been to every transfer mtgs for a little over a year. One of my favorites told me, well all your favorites are home. That might be true. I love hearing from all of them. Ive heard from quite a few of them this week. #iamblessed.

Have a great week. Love you all!

Sis Shoop

9.20.15

I'm a little distracted.. We have family over and the football game is on..

Today was a great day at church. Somethings that made me smile.. A new older person was baptized this week. That in itself was awesome.. But it was sweet seeing her walk up.. She has trouble walking so one if the elders gave her his arm to hold onto to walk up. And then bro. Richardson gave her conformation in German. How cool!

Sunday school was good too. We talked about trials and forgiveness. One of the thoughts that really stuck out to me was,  sometimes we face tragitity so that we can have compassion for others.

This week was long and a little rough. Last Sunday when i wrote, I was a little out of it. Losing my uncle was and is really hard. I loved that Melissa and I both described him the same way without knowing it. We said that he reminds us of a non lds pres. Turner. He had the capability to make everyone feel like they were the favorite! But my main point is that last Sunday, I found out right when church was starting that they were pulling the plugs and it would be soon that he passed. I was a mess! I had to leave the chapel and was crying too much. But i felt i needed to sit on the couch for the sacrament. I needed that peace that it provides. I'm grateful for the sacrament! 

The other thing this week.. I started teaching preschool again. Fun! I think I'm really going to like my little group!

And one of the most exciting parts.. I got to facetime with melissa when she tried on wedding dresses. She is so beautiful! And you guessed it.. I cried! I was sad to not be there.. But grateful for modern technology! Her and Chaz are coming for a couple days in early October to finalize wedding stuff. I'm so excited! She also went wedding dress shopping with friends and pulled up Brooklyn's pic to be there with her. Love!!

9.13.15

What a week! So many emotions! My favorite uncle- vic passed away today. It has been lots os ups and down this week with him. He was in the hospital since August 15. One day better.. Then not and back and forth. He was waiting for a lung transplant. I'm grateful for having so many wonderful memories with him and knowing where he is! And i have no regrets. Bro. Shoop and I went to go visit him yesterday. I didnt see him, but got to visit with family. And I had an awesome visit with him in July. 

This past Wed. Was the first day of school. A couple of lovely pictures of Keagan.. Not wanting to get up for school. But he is has classes he likes and seems to like school.. As much as that is possible. ;)

I have much to be grateful for! I have a family who I love and get to have another son soon! And I'm blessed to have lots of extras who I consider my sons and daughters! I'm grateful for all of you! 

Next week will be exciting too! First day of preschool is Tuesday! I'm teaching by myself and I have 6 kids. Exciting stuff!

And, did I mention Bro. Shoop got a new job?! Still at L and I, but making more $. We're super excited and Rays a little nervous for this adventure. Soo many big life events lately!

And a picture just to show you how hot our summer has been. It was warm this past week, too. But nice because it was cooler in the morning.

And keagan going to a football game.

Love you all!!❤

Sis. Shoop

9.6.15

It has been one of those weeks that I can't think of much going on. 

I've been freezing! It hasn't made it up to 70 or right around there. It makes me laugh because this summer has been so warm, that when it is normal temps, I am cold.

I can't believe school starts this week. Keagan and I are in for a rude awakening! We've been sleeping in. Getting up for seminary will be rough at first.

Keagan went to the first football game of the season. He was so excited that north thurston beat timberline!

We finally had the missionaries over for dinner and got to meet the 2 greenies and other new one. They seem really nice. One of the greenies is from Louisiana. From what I hear he's a super picky eater. He doesn't even like pizza!!

Pics: Its rained a lot and yesterday the clouds looked so cool on the way out to Yelm. Keagan wanted to go out there to go bowling with friends.

And it is definitely Seahawks football season in Wa. You see Seahawks stuff everywhere. I love the spirit everyone has. (I almost like the spirit more than the game..) so it made me smile seeing this mural at McDonald's in Yelm.

Also, Keagan and I had a little time to kill in Yelm so we went to Sunbirds which is a local hardware, camping , hunting, clothing store. They have a little bit of everything. Very rural- country. Keagan and I were laughing because we saw 3 different older men that could of been in that show duck dynasty! Long hair and beards in camo clothing!

Have a great week! I'm excited and a little nervous for Keagan to go back to school. I can't wait for his adventures!

Love ya!

Sis Shoop

8.30.15

Still no date for Melissa and Chaz. I will let you know when that happens.

Wed this week I went up to Marysville. It is a couple hours up north. It's where I graduated from high school. I drove up with a friend from MY LAURELS class that lives in montesano (Elma stake). Her name is Jennifer. We had lunch with 4 other classmates. It was fun. All of these other women are not Lds, but good christians. We also went to go see our yw president. Alana Brudvik. She is one of my very favorite people and had a huge influence on my life. She's in the middle of the crazy selfie picture.

We also visited Jennifer's husbands friends who I grew up with, too. Marc Brower, his dad was my bishop. His son just got home from his mission from Dallas Texas and knew Katie!!! How fun is that! So my bishop from high school - his grandson served in the same area as Katie.

We had some crazy weather this weekend and the wind blew and knocked out several trees. There was a big one that fell down in the big grassy area in front of Fred meyer. We were without power for almost 7 hours. It was strange having it out in the summer. We usually build a fire and cook on the woodstove, but it was too warm for that, so darn it we went out to eat. 

Saturday big toms was also having a special for seahawk ice cream cones, kind of fun.

And lastly one of my #favorite rms (I have several..) Sends me a #sundayselfie, so here are mine.

Church was really good today, too. We've been having a lot of talks and lessons on keeping the Sabbath day holy. I'm enjoying hearing more about this. It has been something that has always been important in our family. But like anything, there are always ways to improve.

The gospel is true! I love it! I love all of you!!

And we pray for you!!!

Sis shoop

8.23.15

It was a fun filled crazy week the week before last and with Melissa getting engaged! Sorry, I didn’t have time to write much last week. We were exhausted! We had taken Keagan to Ocean Shores for the beach dance and stayed the night there and had so much fun at the beach and then gone all day Sunday to see Melissa and see her get proposed to. It was pretty awesome and a whirlwind!  We still don’t know the date or where she is getting married.. here or Utah, but hopefully soon!

This week has been fun, too! Monday we picked up Caleb Woodbury from Isaiah Loposa’s dads house. He came to stay with him and it wasn’t working out too well, so he came to stay with us for a week before he is moving to Utah with his uncle and traveling with the Williamsons when they take Josh down there for school.

Tuesday nights at the Eagle’s club in downtown Olympia is swing dancing. The ages are any.. 8 to 80.  Since dance festival ended, the teachers loved it so much that they started a summer dance program. Keagan has been doing that and loving it! They meet Friday nights and did a performance on Saturday. Anyways.. the Eagle’s club on Tuesday night Keagan went and had such a good time! Caleb was going to go with him. While we were eating dinner, I said to him, we should see if Josh wants to come.  So, I call Josh and basically tell him I’m coming to pick him up in 5 mins. Haha.. He said it was just like Melissa..  Riley was over too and went. They all had a good time. It was so fun for me! I miss the days of Melissa and all her friends hanging out at the house.

Keagan had a busy week. The virtue run and small youth conference was Thursday and Friday. Thursday they had their 5k run/walk and then a fireside. Friday the whole stake went to the temple and did baptisms.

One thing I heard in a talk recently that I really loved.. a lady was talking about how she had dear friends that moved away. She was saying goodbye to them and giving them a hug goodbye. In that instance 100s of special memories went through her mind, when they had done things together, served together and bonded. She said that she thinks that is what it will be like when we are reunited with our Savior. We will be hugging him and when we do we will be brought to remembrance of all the times he was there for us and we bonded with him.

Pictures:

There have been a lot of forest fires in eastern Wa with it being so dry. The last couple of days it has been so smokey over here. The picture is what it has been looking like over here.

                                                                      Caleb Woodbury

Keagan at the dance performance

 last week’s family picture that they take of you at the space needle

and one of my favorites from pictures our friend Simone took of Melissa and Chaz after they got down from the space needle and are engaged.

Love ya all!

Sis Shoop