Straight Chillin' in the MTC

Buna Ziua!!

I FINALLY MADE IT! Just finished the first few days at the Provo MTC!  I already finished 2 weeks at Home MTC, but I figured that it wouldn't be too interesting of emails. Here's a recap though:

Home MTC was actually much better than expected. I felt the spirit so strong, even just over zoom. My district and companion were so awesome and everyone always gave good comments. It was also a blessing to be able to spend more time with my family before I left. 

Ok so now to the good stuff...

Wednesday:There was crazy snow so we almost couldn't make it to the MTC, but luckily things cleared up later in the day. Then I had to say goodbye to my family which was so so sad, but luckily I quickly was able to meet up with some of my district. This helped take my mind off of things for sure. We got to meet our teachers and our district came throughout the day because of the snow. We had a devotional with the MTC presidency, and we went to bed. 

Thursday:

Thursday was a little rough for us Romanian sisters. We decided to go the earliest gym slot, but we were 20 minutes late😬.  We then had to do an orientation that took up all our gym time. We tried to get ready fast for our language tutoring, but again we were late. We also picked up my comp Sora Post, and that was soo awesome!! We had lunch and class, and then dinner. After dinner us sisters went back to our dorm before our meeting with branch presidency. We were freshening up, talking, and helping Sora Post unpack. All of sudden we look at our phones and we were already 3 minutes late to our meeting!! Ugh. Luckily we made it in a few minutes, but it definitely was not our brightest moment. I also had to play the piano for the meeting, and it went better than I thought, but... let's just say it was mediocre at best.  

Today we went to the temple and it was amazing!! And we were actually on time😉

Also in reference to the subject of this email. I can not stop saying "straight chillin" or some for reason. I even accidently told our branch president last night that I was "just chillin". ughh. And now I'm getting all the sisters to say it too haha👿

Spiritual Thought:

D&C 11:13

Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy.

I definitely have felt the spirit this week. Our language classes are definitely hard, but I feel the Lord's help enlightening me, and helping me learn. I also have been able to feel so much joy, even as I miss family and friends. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost and his gifts. 

Cuyahoga Train ride

This field trip with Isaiah's pre-school was the highlight of the whole year.  All he could talk about was how in the spring he would be able to ride the train.  I tried to prepare him a little, because at the time we were looking for a new job, and there was a possibility that we would move, and he would not get to ride the train.  I am so glad that we got to do this activity because it meant so much to him.  We packed a lunch, and ate it while we were on the train.  This is a really fun ride, the park rangers rode the train with us, and explained all the different animals that lived in the woods.  They showed us different animals along the way, shared lots of info, and showed animal skins, bird eggs, and sang songs.  Isaiah was accompanied by his favorite buddies- Brain Ballway, Ryan Coons, & Logan Lockemer.  What could be more fun!

 Here is Isaiah & Ryan

Logan & Brian

Mom & Isaiah on their special field trip together.

I saw the conductor and asked if he would take a picture with the boys.

1st Grade Spring Program

Mckayla's 1st grade class had a spring show. She wore her new Easter dress, I thought she looked so beautiful.  She had a speaking part in the show, She was the teacher.  She knew all the lines, and we had studied hard to memorize them.  They let them keep with them their parts while on stage, and Mckayla kept referring to hers.  I guess when you get nervous, it doesn't matter how much you studied.  She did good and it was fun to watch her do her part.  Afterwards we went to Dairy Queen for some good old ice cream.

Easter 2011

Easter 2011. Here the kids are in there new Easter outfits. They are so adorable. I love each one of there cute mugs.

The Easter bunny hid there Easter baskets, each one of them have just found what the easter bunny has brought them.

Here these silly monkeys were getting ready to look for Easter eggs. It was to cold outside, so we had to have our hunt indoors. As you can see in the picture a blue egg is sitting up on the column, it looks like Isaiah was on the move to getting it, and Mckayla was posing for the camera!

Catch up at a glance for the year of 2011!

 April 2011 Mckay and I ran in a 2 mile fun run.  It was hard for her, but she did great!! She never gave up and kept going.  Mom was very proud of her.

Mckays artwork at school.  Awesome Job!!

Enjoying smoothies, and smoothie mustaches! 

Happy 35th Birthday daddy, nothing like having breakfast in bed, and opening presents first thing in the morning.  The kids so excited to watch dad open his gifts.

Isaiah graduated from preschool!  What a handsome young man!  He was in Mrs. Jeans class.  She retired after this year.  It was a bitter sweet, b/c Mrs. Jean was not coming back.  We were glad to have her for Mckay and Isaiah's class.

In the middle of the program everyone was evacutated into the hallway, because of a tornado warning.  We sat there for awhile watching dark billowing clouds overhead, with heavy rain.  Thankfully no tornado touch the ground.  We were hanging out with our good friends the Coons.  It was a good time!

Random photos

Abigail in her Ohio State gear!

Cute shots of Abigail.

One of the kids took a shot of me, I am not sure which one took it, what a shot though!

Abigail sitting in her bumbo chair

Christmas In Utah!

Since Matt was unemployed we decided that we would travel to Utah for Christmas. At no other time would we have this much time to spend with all of the family. We started our trip by stopping in Vermilion, and having a Christmas partywith Matt's family. Here is a shot with Abigail & Hallie together. They are only1 month apart.

We had a great timewith Matt's side of the family, exchanging gifts, and eating lots of food. We had to cut out early because we were heading on our drive to Utah. We left Vermilion at 3 or 4:00 in the afternoon and drove to Council bluffs Iowa,arriving there around 3 in the morning. We woke up early and were on the road 8:00am Iowa time, and drove and drove and drove, until we rolled into Utah at 10:00 pm Utah time. I think this was a record of driving time from Ohio to Utah. It was a long trip,but were super glad to be in Utah and visiting with all our family and friends.

It was so fun to be at home and be able to participate withmy family for the Ryan family Christmas Eve party. This year we re-inacted the story of Christ's birth. I think thekids enjoyed being a part of it all. There was lots of chaos, but mostly there was lots of fun!

Here are all the some of the kids eating there Christmas Eve dinner!

Bubba, Robert, Sophia and Jesse just relaxing.

Here are the kids in their Christmas pajamas!

On Christmas day we went up to Oakley or Kamas to visit my grandparents in the assisted living home. It is always so good to see them, even if grandma doesn't really interact with you, and grandpa can't hear you, there is something about just being in their presence. I always get teary eyed wondering if this will be the last time I will see them, considering it is usually only once a year that I make it out to Utah. Whenever we see them I try to get snap shots with them and the kids, so we can have some memories of them.

Here is my dad, he made the trip with us to see my grandparents.

After visiting with my grandparents, we stopped in Park City hoping to find something to eat, but considering it is Christmas Day there was not much to choose from. We ended up eating at a mom and pop pizza joint. Thank goodness they were open, and were willing to be open on Christmas. The kids were starving.

After dinner we headed to Temple Square and met up with Steve andHeidi to look at the christmas lights. It is not very often that we get to be in Utah for Christmas, so it is a real treat to see the lights. Temple Square is always so beautiful, to me it is a little bit of heaven on earth.

After Christmas we went up to Logan and stayed with our friends the Shipley's. Spent New Year's with them, and were able to also visit with the Peterson while we were there. Here the girls were playing dress up in their Sunday best. We had wonderful visit with our friends, and we are so grateful for their hospitality.

After the new year we headed back home to OHIO. It is always sad to say goodbye, but it is nice to be back home in your own place. There is nothing like home sweet home.