Zach's Back

Yep, Zachary's mission was cut short by about 22 months. He was given an honorable medical release. It was a very difficult decision for the Brotheren. They do not like to send missionaries home, but they don't make medication changes in the field. And though his meds had been stable for many years, the rigors of mission life made them mostly ineffective. His asthma was flaring up almost daily and it just wasn't safe. Zach wasn't given a choice, which I think was both frustrtating and a relief. What a difficult decision that would have been. He is glad to be home and is moving toward being symptom free.










The Boise Mission welcomes him back as soon as his doctor stabalizes him, but as far as the Brotheren are concerned, he has fulfilled his obligation to the Lord and done what has been asked of him. He truly loves the people of Boise and was sad to have missed his first baptism which happened five days after he returned home. He is grateful for the time he did get to serve and cherishes the friendships and experiences he had in the mission field.

Yum!

Dan has been traveling a lot more with his new job and the highlight for the kids is the fun stuff he brings home. Often it's just the silly free stuff you get when you travel. The airplane barf bags and the hotel shower caps are always a hit. He likes to bring home tshirts and small toys too. This time he brought home crickets and larvae.

Yep, nothin like Salt and Vinegar crickets for an after dinner snack. A couple of the kids tried them,...then spit them out.

Jackson, however, thought they were pretty tasty!

School's Back in Session

You might think with two out of the eight gone on missions, life might slow down a little. Not so in the Huston home. The 2011-2012 school year will include one in high school (Mckenzie was not available for 1st day photos as school starts at 6:45am!) One in Jr. High with Zane in the 8th grade. Two in the elementary, Ammon in 4th and Emily in 2nd. And little Rebekkah makes her debut in preschool. To add to the chaos, we will throw in dual enrollment courses for Mckenzie at MCC, Zane's college courses at Rio Salado, and I will be taking a full load again this fall as well. Oh and lets not forget daddy who is now teaching at Rio online in addition to his day job.

Rebekkah is Four Years Old

Our little princess is four!
She's no longer a baby and is sure to make that very clear. She loves the movie Tangled and the colors pink and purple. She enjoys swimming, reading books and playing dress up. We can often find her playing with her toys. She fills back packs full of her favorite things and finds quiet (and somtimes not so quiet) places to empty her pack and sing songs to her toys. Her favorite song currently is Book of Mormon Stories. She is excited to start preschool in the fall and wants a Rapunzel backpack.
There have been times when we weren't sure if we would be able to celebrate this day. Her heart continues to worsen, and yet she amazes her doctors time and again.
I am so grateful for good doctors, medications and a loving Heavenly Father who has given us another year with our beautiful little princess!

Another Elder Huston

As I stared out the window
the tears still in my eyes,
I saw the vision of those I love
as we said our last goodbyes.

The ride was long and trying
as two questions plagued my mind,
"Do I want the life that's up ahead,
Or the one I left behind?"

Two years is such a long, long time
for going door to door.
In my reflecting I thought to myself,
"There really must be more."

I dragged myself down off the plane
and started smiling at the beach,
When a man turned me the other way
saying,"Elder, go find and teach."

I sit reflecting one again
as this day is my last.
Please Lord, this isn't fair,
the time goes by so fast.

And I stare out the window
the tears still in my eyes,
I see the Elders and friends I love
as we've just said our last goodbyes.

The ride was long and trying
as two questions plagued my mind,
"Do I want the life that's up ahead,
or the one I left behind?"

This one isn't removable!

It all started last summer. Our house had caught on fire, we were living in another home and were preparing for a trip to a family reunion in Utah. We'd been trying to get out the door all morning. I was frustrated. The luggage shell on the top of the car wouldn't close. We stuffed it too full (9 people's belongings for 5 days). I'd had it, so I climbed on top of the Excursion, slammed the shell closed, and came back down...much too quickly and not at all gracefully. We still went on our trip. But three weeks later I finally had it x-rayed and had broken it in two places. Doctors put me in a boot. Which I wore faithfully...except when it wasn't convenient. And it healed. But it still hurt. I went back. Cortizone shots (more painful than child birth and no I did not have epidurals for all of them, so I know) It worked! For a while. Then back for more shots. Again it worked, but not for quite as long. Decided I needed a second opinion. Got an MRI and found that the tendon had separated and the cortizone only made it worse. So lucky me...one month with a 6 lb piece of (un-removeable)pink plaster to drag around. But my very favorite part....wait for it...Lovenox shots daily to ward off blood clots. Moral of the story...WEAR THE BOOT!

A 3 day break???

My friend posted this question...What would you do with a three day break. No kids, no hubby, just free time.

I can dream and say I'd shop, paint the bathroom, organize the basement, maybe even have lunch with a friend, or get a manicure.

But I think if I were to be truthful, I'd just go nuts! I'm never without kids, except dates with my sweetheart. I feel anxious and worried when they are not around. The school day is a little long for me, and I still have two at home. Maybe I'm a control freak. I'm sure they would be in capable hands, I wouldn't leave them otherwise. I'm still struggling with Tres beinging gone, and he's in the Lords hands, how more capable is that!! Now Zach's about to leave and I sigh every time I think about it.
So to me, even a day would be weird, but three, nope, not for me.
(I would like to sleep through the night once though, haven't done that in years!)

The Call

Can you beleive it?! Two missionaries.
Yep, Zachary got his call on Friday. With family and friends gathered at home or via the phone, he opened his letter and read us every word...seriously, even the address. Wish I had a picture of Dan's face when Zach said, "Dear Elder Huston, we regret to inform you..." He has his dad's sence of humor! He reports to the Provo MTC on June 22nd, and will then leave for Boise, Idaho to serve two years for the Lord. Congratulations Zach.

You can watch the video at www.http//youtube.com/watch?v=tBnm4Wymrxo