Trip to SLC, Kattie's Shower and Haley and Dallin's Visit

Hi!  You have my deepest apologies...I just now got a new face mask for my c-pap machine and can sleep at night.  Yay!  I'd been having soooo much trouble with the one I was using, and I couldn't get any sleep!  It's heavenly to be able to sleep now.  And think!

So, here's what's been happening: we went down to SLC for the interview on the Pocatello job.  They'd had quite a bit of snow there, and it was really piled high beside the roads and sidewalks.  Fortunately, we didn't encounter much snow going down, and it was clear going back home the next day.

 (Just random scenes of snow in SLC)

We met up with Julie and JR for supper that night, and they took us to an incredible little Chinese restaurant with the best food!  The pot stickers were almost like pasta, they were so creamy and delicioso.  We also had won ton soup, sweet and sour pork, chicken with green beans (so good!), spicy beef with mushrooms (one mushroom, however, had all the spice in it, it seemed, and it really shocked my throat, haha), fried rice, and a couple of other things.  It came in family-style servings.
Anyway, it was great to see them!

We got to see Susan and Mike and Amy again, which was great.  They were all doing well.  We so much appreciate their hospitality!  And the next morning we left fairly early for Mark's lunchtime interview.  He met the three people at a sports-type restaurant, while I went to Hobby Lobby, practically next door!

Things went well, and he was one of four final candidates, but we found out last week that he didn't get the job, as another candidate "was a better fit for the people they have in place already," or something to that effect.  Okay, so that must not be the thing for us right now.  We'd fasted and prayed that it would go however it was supposed to.  We weren't too discouraged.  We just keep applying!

Since then, not a bunch has happened (my eyes are getting better and better - affected by my hydration more than anything).  Tut and Leto are fine.

The exciting thing is that Dallin and Haley and kids are here this weekend!  She surprised Kattie at her baby shower Saturday afternoon (which was another exciting event).  Here is my blurry picture of Kattie:

She is due in a couple of weeks, and you can just tell that she's pregnant.  Her tummy is a cute little ball.
The shower was at Kelsey's parents' house, and, of course, the food was outstandingly good.  (Her mom fixed a plate for Mark to take; they are always so thoughtful!)
It was an open house, from 2-3:30, and quite a few people came by, many of her friends from the Singles Branch, plus Sis. Baird and Sis. Stevenson, their former leaders (and great friends - Bairds are like her second parents, lol)
Ava Muezet (the baby) received so many cute outfits and sleepers, a sweater, some blankets (several homemade), cute crocheted, tiny shoes, washcloths and a towel, baby supplies, teeny hair bows, a 2-way nursery monitor, and other darling presents.  Ava will be so decked out!
Kattie says her nursery is painted and set up now.  I can't  wait to see it!  They are finishing their downstairs for the boys' bedrooms and a family room, with carpeting from the neighbor and help from another friend/relative, so, once again, they make their place more wonderful through their hard work and thriftiness.  Just like our kids do, too.  You all are great examples to me.

We had a potluck that night, and Marks fixed a roasting pan full of spaghetti, plus cherry Jell-O with Sprite and Mandarin oranges.  There was plenty of food, and Melinda had a make-a-Valentine with a Tootsie-Pop activity for the kids.  As usual, I made some too (when I see that there are supplies left over).  It was fun.

And last night (Sunday) we went over to Melinda's for root beer floats with everybody.  Phillip was there too, and the kids were well-behaved.  He kept them entertained, and Linda read to them, so they were really quiet.  Now, today, Haley is dropping by with her kids to visit us for an hour or so.  Then they'll be leaving, as soon as Dallin's interview and 3-hour(!) test are over.  I'll be leaving for an eye appt. as soon as Haley leaves here, and then I'll finish my eye drops on the 28th.  Whew!  Mark and I will be glad when they're done!  (4x a day).

So that's the word for now.  Tomorrow is Seth's birthday.  Happy 20th birthday, Seth!
And Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!  And thank you for the Valentine and pictures, Haley!  And thank you, Audrey, for your cute card and note!  Those were awesome!  And thank you, all of you, for all the thoughtfulness, letters, phone calls, visits, pictures, etc.  And for being you.  I don't know any people I would rather be with in a disaster or emergency, if that means anything to you.  It says a lot about you, in my book.  : )


Take care!  We love you!
xoxoxo