March Update

Life is busy and always changing for us (as always)... we are moving AGAIN next weekend! Not by our choice, but our landlord is moving back into this house, so we have to leave. We found a cute little place that's not too far away but it is in a different ward and a different school.... Ah! So starting anew AGAIN... I think we must be trying to create some sort of record for moving. This will be 4 moves in less than 18 months (sigh). Michael just applied to the UC Berkeley MBA program and has an interview this Friday! It is one of the top 10 schools in the country so it's very difficult to get in, but we are encouraged that he has an interview! If he gets into the program for this Fall we would be very excited. It will be a challenging 3 years and I will have to take on the role of "single mom status" because Michael will be working full time and going to school on the evenings and weekends, but we feel like it's the right thing to do. I'm still keeping busy as a ZUMBA Instructor and I really love it, I teach 7 times a week (crazy, I know) but it's really been something that I look forward to and really enjoy. I love teaching and have made so many great friends in the process. I teach for free 3 times a week at the Stake Center for anyone who wants to come (which is about 30-40 ladies each class), and I teach 4 times a week at a indoor-sports center here in Livermore and I am learning a lot about being a business woman and building my clientele through marketing, promotions, word of mouth...etc. It keeps me busy, but is well worth it. Lance is doing great in Kindergarten and LOVES it! I was worried that it would be challenging because he is one of the very youngest (if not the youngest) in his class, but he works hard and is doing really well! Afton is adorable, full of energy, and our little chatter-box. She loves to talk and tell pretend stories, regularly tries to talk herself out of getting in trouble, wrestle with Cosette, play with the "big kids", and be independent. She is still young enough to tell the truth, but smart enough to try and cover-up her mistakes. It is not uncommon to hear her say, "Oops Mommy! I spilled my water, but I didn't." or "My room is a BE-SASTER (disaster), but it's not... it's super clean!" Cosette is growing up so fast! She is running and playing with her big brother and sister and learning so much! She loves to play with Afton and have Mommy and Daddy sing her "3 Little Ducks". She likes to feed herself and sit up and the dining room table with the family. She loves playing Peek A Boo and will hide behind the couch and poke her little head out and say "Boo!" She is always excited to see Daddy when he gets home from work and greets him with out-stretched arms and running to meet him at the door while yelling "Da-da, Da-da!" We are all doing great and keeping very busy. We feel so blessed and really love our lives here in California.

Letter to Elder Covey

Oh Elder Covey! I read your letters and am so inspired by you! I feel the Spirit in your words and it helps me to keep more of an "eternal perspective" on my own life. The love you feel for those you are serving is incredible. You have always had such a loving heart and have been accepting and non-judgemental. I Lord definitely knew those strengths when He called you to your mission with your President and with the Elders that you have been companions with! What a BLESSING you have been to SO MANY people! They are truly lucky (not by "luck" but from blessings from heaven) to have you there. I am so glad that your President can see your Spiritual Gifts and that he has paired you with other young men who will be blessed because of them. Oh, I love you so much Jacob! I feel so lucky to be your sister. Being your oldest sister has been so amazing. I feel like I got to "mother" and love you since we have such a big age gap and I have loved every minute of it! Now, being a mother of my own children it's amazing the kind of love that I feel for them. I can totally relate to your feelings of love for your investigators, because that is the same kind of God-like love that I feel for my own children... it sure is amazing! Thank you for being such a great example to me and my kids. I can see so many similarities between you and my little Lance. He is loving, kind, sweet, and thoughtful - just like his Uncle Jacob. I know that he will always look up to you and want to follow your incredible example. Thank you for being such a great example to him. I hope he grows up to be just like you! We are praying for you, your companions and your investigators. We love you! ~ Camille and family