TWO Big Events

Sister Babcock finished her home MTC this week and flew to the MTC in Provo.

First we packed up two huge suitcases and her guitar.

Her fancy boots finally arrived, and they fit perfectly.

Grandma and Grandpa came to dinner her last night at home.  "I just can't stop hugging her."

Neither could we.

At 3am we were in the car headed to the airport -- that's early.  She and Austin chatted most of the way, and I just listened to her happy voice.  

We said our goodbyes at the gate, and she was off!

She did turn around and wave.  

It was a long walk back to the car and even longer drive home.  "Maisie is sensational.  She will work so hard and be so obedient, and she will see nothing but miracles," that's the mantra I repeat over and over again in my head when I can't take the reality of our temporary separation.   

Then, the next day came.  Austin and I headed to Branson, Missouri for a weekend filled with rides, shows and friends.

Oh, also a weekend of of very sourthern food.

Austin ordered jowl bacon -- they brought him a huge plate of it.  Me?  I ordered the beans.

While eating, the waiter came out and threw rolls into open hands.  (They served a whipped margarine, not real butter, so that was a thing.). I think I need to try that roll throwing thing at my dinner table.  I bet my eaters would actually like it.

Friday morning we were up early and headed to Silver Dollar City.

I have no idea how they convinced me to ride on a scooter, but they did.  

The park was decorated in hundreds of pumpkins, real and fake.  Fall felt real there, especially because the Ozark trees were starting to change color.

There were no lines to ride the coasters, so we would double ride.  We paid for our denial of age with splitting headaches and upset stomachs.  Good times.

That night we raced to Dolly Parton's Stampede.  

Lots of trick horses, games, dinner and patriotic fun.  I loved it.

Off to our last show of the day -- "The Baldknobbers."  Their music was fresh and lovely, but I don't really know recent country, so I didn't love all of it, just most of it.

Saturday we rode go-carts.  I put the pedal to the medal and drove so quickly.  

Gotta love Missouri.

We then watched the musical, "Queen Esther."  I have never before been in a theater where the scenery is literally 270*, but we were not sitting in the round.  The set was the most incredible feature of the play -- although Haman's evil voice was insanely low and warm.  I especially loved the cast singing and praising God.  I clapped right along with all those Christians and felt so connected to humanity.

We raced out of that theater and landed at "SIX."  These six brothers are an acapella group and their taste is music matched mine exactly (except for the Bieber bit).  I sang and dance along with those poor fellows.  Luckliy, all the white-haired matinee-goers didn't mind my enthusiasm.

A quick walk down town and along the river filled the space between our next show.

We enjoyed the "Hughes Family."  Four brothers and their 30 children entertained us.  One of the boys on stage was an elder that Andy worked with on his mission in Tennessee.  That was fun to meet Nathaniel.

Because it was Saturday, Austin did watch football in between all our shows.

Sunday was our primary program -- so we watched it on Zoom.  Molly and Ryan were really sweet.  I recorded my children's speaking parts, and I wasn't in the chapel.  

Ryan's part

 Molly's part

Then we walked into the chapel and it was the primary program in the ward we were visiting as well.  I mean, we had already seen five shows, so two more in the form of primary children was delightful

Home late.  I kissed all the children sleeping in their beds.  At midnight I went down to check on Maddie, and she was awake!  She gave me the details we missed.  Eddie, Ryan and Molly were spoiled and loved by the grandparents -- complete with lunch at McDonalds.  Maddie and Nick literally swam more than 200 laps for their fundraiser.  Ryan was an incredible football player.  Eddie loved his campout and mountain biking adventure.  Molly danced her heart out.

 

HOME MTC

 The reverse-curse is a thing again this week.

Nick and took our annual pictures.  He just keeps growing and growing.  (Am I shrinking?). 

My expectations were so high for family choir, because it's our last one with Maisie and Nick for the next three years.  We rushed through because I was the only who really cares.  Most days I can just ignore the reality that my hobbies are just that, mine.  I suppose my sentimentality didn't help with my soundtrack.

Pomegranate from the garden.

I played the organ again.  I took a picture with Maisie sitting on the bench with us.

Saturday night BYU played KU and won!  Austin couldn't even handle it.  His boys were with him on every play.

Sister Babcock using her time appropriately.  She called Delta and discovered that her guitar counts as a carry-on.

The Brophy qualifier was good to these two.  They PR-ed in all their events.

They swam so well.  We melted.

Austin finally bought a new phone.  Maisie took his first picture.

38 hours of MTC ZOOM this week.  Sister Babcock was amazing.  Her gospel teaching skills have only improved, as well as her character and intentions.  We love her.

Tired Mother.

Another day.  More smiles.  More hours of ZOOM.

Sister Babcock takes very few breaks, but when she does, she's magical.

Monday morning hair.  I wish it stayed this big all day.

Miss Bea and Miss Winnie were very reverent in church this week.  

Bea's blessing dress finally fits -- it's the one the Armstrong girls wore.

Winnie's dress fits as well -- it's the one my Babcock daughters wore.

Andy is balancing so many things,  as is evident by the locked keys in his running car.  Luckily, we were chatting and I convinced him to call a cop.  His error didn't cost him anything.  Few.