What goes around, comes around - sometimes

We had an interesting experience as a family a couple of weeks ago. We been dog-less (by choice) for several months. We've always had a dog and never really had time to properly train or entertain them. Besides, we've had female dogs that attracted unwanted male attention and when we had an unplanned pregnancy this past spring, we decided to find a new home for her.

We have all adjusted to our dog-less state. But then one Sunday afternoon when we came home from church there was an elderly Jack Russell terrier sitting on the front porch. At first we tried to chase her away but she wouldn't leave. She greeted each car that came up the driveway and was friendly without being pushy. She was obviously well-cared for even though she wasn't wearing a collar. So we gave her some water. And then some dog food (which she wouldn't eat) and finally some people food (which she did eat). We thought she'd be gone in the morning - but she wasn't. We moved her to the backyard and bought canned dog food (which she liked). By Weds we had named her Lucy and Butch was planning to take her to the vet to have her checked out. And that's when we saw the signs. An elderly Jack Russell terrier, lost on Sunday, and a phone number to call. The kids begged me not to call and I'll be honest, I really was tempted. But I knew I had to call and so I did. The owners were thrilled and gave me their address.

When we drove up to the house - just a few blocks away, I had to smile. Several years ago, the day after Tommy got his driver's licence, he was driving Grace's car and - just a few blocks from our house, took a turn too wide at a stop sign and hit a young man driving an old truck. When I got the call I was just sick. But fortunately the damage to both cars was minor. Grace's car just a little scratch. And the truck - which had many dents already - just had a new one above the rear tire. I knew this was an opportunity for the truck's owner to make some cash - since fixing the damage would be pointless, but Tommy had hit him and our insurance would pay. But amazingly the boy and his parents were very nice and understanding and un-greedy. They said they would hammer out the dent so it wouldn't rub the tire and not to worry about it. We were grateful. And then we had a chance to do something nice for them.

It made it a little easier to give Lucy back - but we all do miss her. And we're glad she was a part of our family for a little while.

Blog Interview by author Linda Weaver Clarke

I was recently interviewed about Murder by the Book. If you'd like to read the interview and enter a contest to win a copy of the book - you can visit http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com.

Tommy's Home!!!

We are so thankful to have him back safe and sound. I can't believe he's already been here almost a month. And I really can't believe that he's about to leave us again. But at least he'll be closer and we can talk to him on the phone. I've learned to search for the positives in my life!

A couple of days after he got home we were gathered for Family Night and didn't really have anything planned so Butch asked Tommy if he could just talk about his mission. Tommy was a little unsure of what to say - since he'd talked about it so much over the past few days. Clay reassured him by saying, "We're interested in anything you say." I thought that was so cute and so true!

Then on Sunday night we were gathered again - just talking. I made some comment and the conversation took a turn in that direction. Finally Andy said, "Is Tommy ever going to start talking about Africa again because if not I'm going to bed."

So you see how it is here.

Welcome Home Tommy!!! We missed you and it's great to have you back!

Safe Haven - taking a pro-active step toward family safety

We live in a world full of amazing technology. I can remember - not that many years ago - when a computer was an incredible luxury. Today everyone has access to a computer and most have laptops (of some variety) that are portable and accessible almost anywhere. And now - the newest way to keep in touch with everything - is the iPhone. It seems that we are moving in the direction of one device that will eventually replace personal computers and handle all our communication needs. And while this is happening so fast that its kind of scary for older folks like me - I can see the potential for good. Especially when there are heroes like my son-in-law, Josh Farrer, working to use this technology to make the world a safer place for children.

Josh and some friends have developed an app for the iPhone called Safe Haven (learn more by visiting the website at www.safehavenapp.com). You can be notified when a child goes missing in your area and you can be notified when a child predator moves into your area. The app provides a current list of missing children and their pictures so if you see a child that fits the description, you can compare to the actual picture. There is also a current list of child predators and their pictures.

The thing I love most about this is the proactive, empowering affect it will have on child-searches. I think I can safely say that having a child kidnapped is every parents' worst nightmare. I had a friend who's child wandered off and was missing for several hours. She said she never truly understood the phrase from the Bible about 'pray without ceasing' until that experience. I think we can all imagine the horror, but I hope that the helplessness that has accompanied these situations in the past - while parents waited for the police to find their child - will be diminished by this new app. Parents, friends, neighbors and total strangers can all work together to become a finding force - and the kidnapper's worst nightmare. The fact that through this app information gets out so fast and is so accurate will be a huge help in finding children and (I hope) a deterrent to predators who steal children. The key is to get this app onto as many iPhones as possible and thereby increase the finding force when a child is missing.

Every time this app is purchased the world becomes a little bit safer place. I am so proud of Josh for putting so much time and effort into creating something with so much potential for good. And I urge everyone to invest in protecting our children (and pass the word along!)

Anticipating Tommy

July 7, 2010
It has been a busy few days - flying to Idaho, welcoming a new baby (Atticus Joshua Farrer) to the family, and finally flying home last night. Today has been particularly hectic - but tonight, as I sat going over my Monster List for the thousandth time in anticipation of Tommy's arrival tomorrow, my mind wandered back to March 7, 1989 - the night before I met him for the first time. In those days I was a faithful journal-keeper, so I was able to pull out the old book and read the words I wrote that night.

Tuesday, March 7, 1989 - Gracie woke me up at 2:00 this morning and I haven't been able to fall back asleep. So here I am, making one of my middle of the night journal entries. I think I am completely ready for this baby to come. We celebrated Gracie's birthday yesterday and she seemed to have a wonderful time. The house is relatively clean (I still need to do a few things today - like clean out the refrigerator). I even bought Tommy an Easter basket. So by tonight I hope to be in a holding-pattern, waiting for him to arrive. And I really hope I don't keep my doctor's appointment next week!!!!

I feel pretty much the same tonight. The house is relatively clean. There are several things that still need to be done tomorrow - but its all manageable. We've just had a string of happy birthdays - Jamie (25), Atticus (0), Aaron (24), and Clay (13). I think everyone enjoyed their day. I didn't get Tommy an Easter basket - but I have some new things waiting for him since he was planning to leave almost all his clothes - except the ones on his back - in Uganda for native missionaries. I have the refrigerator stocked with Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. I have bags of peanutbutter M&M's. I have Root Beer chilling. We are once again in a holding-pattern, waiting for him to arrive.

Wednesday, March 8, 1989 - Well, I didn't make my doctor's appointment. John Thomas Green was born at 6:07 this morning. He is a sweet baby with so much hair! I started having contractions about 11:00 last night. I went on to bed since I figured if they were the real thing I wouldn't be able to fall asleep. I did fall asleep but I woke up a little before 2:00 with a good one. I got up to see if they would get worse - they did. I did a load of clothes, washed a few dishes, paid bills, did the food orders (I was Relief Society President at the time and bi-weekly had to submit food orders to the Store House in Atlanta so food could be delivered to needy families). Finally Butch woke up and asked what I was doing - so I had to tell him I thought I was in labor. He got up and got dressed. I called Cindy Smith (a friend who lived nearby) and she came over to stay with the kids. I only had a few contractions during the entire trip to the hospital and started to worry that I wasn't really in labor. But when I got to the hospital they took me upstairs and confirmed that I was definitely about to have a baby. The labor was easy and quick and I didn't even get an epidural (a decision I regretted toward the end - but am happy about now). In fact when it was time for the delivery Butch didn't have a chance to make an escape - so he stayed with me through the entire thing for the first time. Tommy was 21" long and 8 pounds, 2 1/2 ounces. The nurses were a little concerned about his breathing so they took him straight to the nursery. I was disappointed that I didn't get to hold him - but I definitely wanted to be sure he was okay. Finally they brought him to me - screaming his lungs out. But as long as I hold him he's happy. So I think I'll just keep him with me instead of sending him back to the nursery. I miss my other kids. When they came up to see me Laura was concerned about my IV and Jamie was concerned that I was still fat. I talked to Cathy on the phone a little while ago and she said she had cleaned her room perfect and then the little kids had dumped out the Legos and Barbies and were now shovelling them with Gracie's toy garden equipment she got for her birthday. Poor Cathy. But all in all this birth experience has been wonderful and we are so glad that Tommy is a part of our family!

On that first night of being Tommy's mother I loved him, even though I didn't really know him yet. Now I know him and love him. And I'm honored that he was sent to me. I'm thankful for his goodness, his obedience to the Lord and to his parents, for his diligent and uncomplaining service, and especially tonight - I am thankful that he is returning home. It has been a wonderful two years of growth and sacrifice and learning. I would not trade it for anything. But it is done. And I want my baby back.

Surrendering to the Monster List /Love the One You're With

List Obsesson -

I am a list-making addict. I admit it. And even though I know that if I would spend more time doing the things I need to do instead of reorganizing them on lists - I would get more accomplished. But I can't help myself. So in anticipation of the next 3 weeks when I will be flying back and forth across the country, welcoming a new grandchild into the world, pampering the new little mother, welcoming home a returning missionary and trying to be a wife/mother long distance my list-making obsession soared to new heights.

I made a list that was so comprehensive, so lofty (it even includes replacing some sheetrock in the laundry room that was removed a year ago to do a plumbing repair) and so optimistic that I've been calling it The Monster List. Every day I make adjustments (this means I add all the things from yesterday that I didn't accomplish to today's portion of the to-do list) and mark things off as they get done. In my defense - I did do a lot of things. But because of the sheer number of things that have now landed on 'today' - I accept that I will not get it all done. I will not sheetrock the laundry room. I will not paint the living room or finish painting my bedroom (a project that was mostly completed duirng spring break). I may not have my house spotlessly clean when I leave. But now it's time to turn my focus to packing and preparing for my trip - since I leave in about 24 hours.

Always missing someone -

I am so excited to get to Idaho and spend some time with Emily and Laura and Josh and Harrison. And obviously I can't wait to meet little baby 'whatshisname'. I have been looking forward to it for months now and feel so blessed that the Lord opened the way for me to be able to go - not once - but twice to visit this summer. But while I am gone I will miss Jamie's 25th birthday (making his cake and a Mexican fiesta for my family to eat without me on Sunday in his honor is on the Monster List), I will miss Aaron's 24th birthday (Grace is making a pie for his birthday 'cake' and he will be honored at the Mexican fiesta as well), and I will miss Clay's 13th birthday (I'm taking him and some friends to see Karate Kid today as an advance celebration and then Cathy and Grace are going to make him a cake and fix his birthday dinner next weekend). Not to mention that Butch and Andy - who both work very hard - will have to fend for themselves food-wise and laundry-wise while I'm gone. And Grace won't have anyone to feel sorry for her because she doesn't feel good while she's pregnant. I won't be here to babysit for Cathy while she attends to her Young Women duties. And I won't see my Alabama grandchildren for 2 weeks. Weds night when I was saying goodbye to Andie (Cathy and her family were leaving for vacation on Thurs) I asked her what I was going to do if I couldn't see her face for 2 weeks. She shook her head and said, "Probably cry." She's probably right.

But anyway, I'm trying to ignore the negatives and concentrate on the happiness and blessings the next few weeks will bring. I pray that Laura will finish this pregancy easily and safely. I pray that little 'whoever' will arrive healthy and quickly so I can have them settled as much as possible before I have to leave to come home. I pray that Tommy will make it across the world without incident and return to us. I'm afraid that I weary the Lord sometimes. I do pray a lot! Thanks goodness I know He's always listening!!!!

New Approach to Blogging

I'll admit that I feel a little intimidated by blogging. I feel like I have to have something worthwhile to say - which is why I so rarely post anything! So I've decided to go back to the original format I used to use when I kept my 'journal' on my website. I'll just try to write weekly about what's going on in our family. It will rarely be profound (and sometimes not even interesting). But at least I'll be blogging!!!!

Here's my first try at turning over a new leaf.

June 7-14, 2010

Since I am getting ready for Tommy to come home and for me to be gone out to Laura's for the baby's arrival - I had a busy week full of trying to get this house organized and catching up on projects and things that I don't have time for during the school year. I finally made Banx his baby quilt (that I should have given him over a year ago). I wanted to make Laura's baby one but couldn't very well do that when I still owed Banx one! So I got them both done and it was so fun I went ahead and made a pink one just in case Grace has a girl (she won't for sure now - but I'll use it eventually). Abbie didn't get her "Gram Quilt" until after Andie was born so 5 years is my record for latest baby blanket.

Clay got poison ivy while working in the yard with our neighbor across the street and I doctored it all week and finally surrendered on Sat and took him to the doctor. They gave him a steroid shot (he was thrilled and is expecting to have huge muscles any day now) and a graduated dosage packet that he has to take for 13 days. But the poison ivy is much better.

Andy woke up sick on Tuesday night. He threw up for two days - from what I assume was a stomach virus. Clay caught it too and so I had them both sick. Luckily neither Butch nor I caught it.

Butch found out that he will not be able to take off work for our trip to Laura's in July. We were planning for Butch, Tommy, Andy and Clay to fly out on July 17th and bless the baby on the 18th. But Butch graciously offered to stay home alone and let the boys go on. Then he and I will fly out over Labor Day weekend and that's when the baby will be blessed. Tommy and Emily will be out west at school so they'll be able to attend. Andy and Clay will miss the blessing - but not any school. So I guess it all worked out okay. Just not the way I'd planned (surprise, surprise).

On Thurs Grace went to the doctor and got to hear her baby's heartbeat and they were so excited. Then I came in and saw that I had an email from Kirk Shaw at Covenant telling me that my new book Murder by Design has been officially accepted for publication. It will be released in October - which is very exciting. Then Emily called and said that she had been awarded (without even applying for) a $500 scholarship at BYU-I. It will pay what she owes the bookstore and her July rent since the job she got didn't work out as well as she'd planned. That was a huge blessing.

On Friday Butch stopped by the Korean food store and bought anchovies and kimchee and all kinds of things that he likes to eat and I don't. But that's fine because I'm on a very restrictive diet and can't eat much of anything. The good news is, though, that I've lost 27 pounds! I am so proud of myself and so sorry that I didn't take control sooner so that I wouldn't have made all this necesary....

Anyway, on Saturday we were just trying to get Clay ready for his first scout camp.

On Sunday I had to teach YW's and it was a lesson called "Sustaining Missionaries through Letters". It was about writing missionaries and encouraging them and not saying negative stuff or telling them how much fun they were missing at home and stuff. I had the full-time missionaries come in and tell how much letters from friends had meant to them on their missions and then we gave them each a giant candy bar. Then we made up a little box for the missionaries serving from our ward (except Tommy - a package couldn't get to him before he comes home) and then the girls wrote them notes to put in the box with the candy. So it turned out pretty good. After church we had a "Linger-Longer" potluck dinner. I made lasagna and a cake as my contributions and Andy and Clay stayed for it. I went home and ate my turkey sandwich instead. I had a rare burst of organization on Sat night and made an extra lasagna for our Sunday Evening Family Gathering Dinner so I didn't have to do much on Sunday to get ready for that.

Then Monday morning I woke up at 3:00 am and emailed with Tommy. Only 3 more chances to do that. Then he'll be home. YAY!!!!

Until next week...

Baptismal Blessings

These are some beautiful pictures of my oldest grandchild, Abbie Grace Acker, taken by Carissa Brown (http://carissasphotography.blogspot.com). Abbie will be baptized on Friday, April 30, 2010, her eighth birthday. And she will wear the dress I made for her mother to wear when she was baptized, nearly 22 years ago.

I have thought a lot about my own baptism as I've prepared to give a talk at Abbie's. My father was in the Army at the time and we were living on Fort Shafter - which is near Honolulu, Hawaii. My father was doing his medical internship at Tripler Army Hospital and was gone from home a lot. My mother, who was dealing with 5 young children - including a newborn - and the beginning symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, still took the time to make me a beautiful white dress. The fabric was dotted Swiss with eyelet lace. Once I was dressed she had me sit down and write all the events of my special day. I still have that paper, written in my childish handwriting, now a piece of my history. Then she let me go and show the neighbors how cute I looked. Finally it was time to go to the church. I'm not sure why - but we were locked out and I remember a few moments of horror - thinking that my baptism wasn't going to happen. But my father saved the day by climbing around a ledge to a back door or window and somehow got us in. I think it was his first time to baptize anyone, but he did a great job. And afterwards he and my mom took me out to dinner at a restaurant (a rare and therefore very special occasion). It was a beautiful day.

I've also thought a lot about Cathy's baptism. I was a busy mother too - with four children and pregnant with my fifth (Tommy, who is about to complete his mission to Uganda/Ethiopia in July). She was my oldest child and so we were all excited to have the first baptism in our family. We wanted her to be prepared so we challenged her to read the entire Book of Mormon before her baptism and she completed this goal with hours to spare. We gave her a set of scriptures with her name engraved on them. And of course I made her a beautiful white dress out of eyelet fabric. Her birthday came and we explained that the 'celebration' would be limited this special year because we wanted the focus to be on the baptism itself. Friends and relatives traveled to be with us. And then her father, who I know had some previous baptizing experience, baptized Cathy.

So on Friday when I attend Abbie's baptism, it will move this wonderful event into yet another generation. I am so thankful for Abbie and the joy she is in my life. I'm thankful for her righteous desires and good example to her younger cousins. When Butch asked her why she wanted to get baptized she said "Because Jesus asked John the Baptist to baptize Him and I'm supposed to do everything Jesus did." I thought that was a perfect answer. And I'm also thankful for Cathy and Ricky - for trying so hard to be good parents.

As John said, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John 1:4

Introducing Carissa's Photography

My nephew's wife is a very talented photographer with a wonderful camera and she has started a part-time business. So anyone in the Birmingham area who needs pictures taken - check out her blog at http://carissasphotography.blogspot.com.

These are some samples of her beautiful work.

Nauvoo was wonderful!

Thanks for all your kind comments!!!! Here's my Nauvoo report -

Of course - things didn't go exactly as we'd planned, but everything turned out fine. We left at about 2:30 am instead of 2:00 - but I thought that was pretty good for so many people (including 4 children and one pregnant person!). I thought the drive was pleasant and we arrived in Nauvoo about 3:30 on Thursday afternoon. We checked into the lodge at the Nauvoo Log Cabins (I highly recommend them - all different sizes to choose from, we've stayed in three of them and they were all very comfortable and the people who own them are very accommodating).

I had been very concerned about the weather (snow was predicted for Friday and Sat). We are not snow people - and I was afraid that snow would make driving difficult and keep us from doing all that we wanted to while we were there. I tried to pray for the Lord to temper the elements in our behalf - but I just couldn't make myself do it. Not when the pioneers had to leave Nauvoo in the dead of winter for REAL. So the weather was fine when we got there on Thurs (about 38 and cloudy). But we woke up to 2-3 inches of snow on Friday. And it was still snowing. The kids were thrilled and I figured we'd deal with it.

After breakfast we went down Parley Street. Because of the weather I thought everyone would just stay in the vehicles and read the signs from inside. But my entire family chose to walk down Parley Street in the snow (except Banx, Abbie and Andie who stayed in the van with me). It turned out to be one of the best moments of the trip. I waited with the children in the van by the edge of the frozen river and watched my family emerge in little groups from the fog mixed with driving snow. It was so authentic and amazing. Laura and Josh even pushed Harrison in his stroller and from the beginning - everyone had a very good taste of what the pioneers faced on that morning in February so long ago.

After our spiritual moment at the river's edge, there was an impromptu snowball fight. Then we drove around to the graves of Joseph and Hyrum and the prophet's original little cabin. When we got there Aaron said his wedding ring was not on his finger. He said he either left it back at the lodge in the bathroom or lost it during the snowball fight. While the others walked up to the graves, he and I left in search. My idea was to check the lodge first so we didn't search through an acre of snow for nothing. So we were headed that way. But then Aaron said he felt like we should check the riverbank first since it was still snowing and if we waited too long it might be covered up. So we went to the river's edge and after looking for about 2 minutes before we found it - barely sticking out of the snow. I know Aaron was inspired to have us go there first. And when we returned to the gravesite triumphant - Jamie said, "Miracles happen in Nauvoo." And it's true.

We watched the movie at the visitor's center (heart-wrenching but necessary). The wagon rides weren't running because of the snow but we did get to visit several of the historical sites. The snow did keep us from being able to go to our picnic area across the river and eat chicken while looking at the temple. We did eat chicken - but we did it in the lodge. Then we enjoyed Rendezvous at Old Nauvoo (a musical production performed by some of Nauvoo's senior missionaries). It's always particularly poignant to me because I love Nauvoo and I have met so many wonderful people there. It is truly my dream to one day have a Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo with my ancestors, my family and my many friends. Ahhhh.

Saturday morning the snow had stopped but it was colder. We went to the temple and had a wonderful time there. Then we went to Carthage and finally watched the DVD of the City of Joseph together. The only thing that dampened our spirits was the knowledge that we were soon going to have to leave. But even that was part of the pioneer experience - leaving and saying goodbye to those they loved.

On Sunday we packed up and drove through Nauvoo one last time before heading home. We dropped the Farrers off at the airport in St. Louis and made it home about 9:30. And we're already planning next year!!!

Can't think of a place I'd rather be...than Nauvoo with my family!!!

So Laura, Josh and Harrison arrived on Monday night and it's been great having them here. I've seen a lot more of my other kids too (since they want to visit with Laura) so that's an added bonus.

We are having a big birthday party for Butch tonight (big only because there are so many of us). During the festivities we'll discuss our past experiences in Nauvoo and our ancestors who lived there. Then we'll get a couple of hours of sleep (hopefully) and leave at 2:00 am on Thursday morning. That will put us in Nauvoo about 3:00 on Thursday afternoon - just in time to check into our log cabin lodge. We have a lot of activities planned. Some are logical - anyone would do them if they were in Nauvoo. Others are just silly traditions that we do every time we go. For those who are interested - this is our basic itinerary:

Thursday February 4th (The Journey begins…)
2:00 AM – Leave for Nauvoo (listen to City of Joseph CD)
8:30 – Stop in Paducah for Breakfast, receive N-A-U-V-O-O (similar to BINGO except cooler and more spiritual) games. There is a prize for a NAUVOO (BINGO) and a bigger prize for a blackout (covering the whole card) Participation is optional.
1:00 – Stop in Wentzville for Lunch
3:30 – Arrive in Nauvoo and check into log cabin lodge
4:00 – Some people go to Keokuk and stock up on groceries while others rest/enjoy lodge-living
5:30 – Pizza for dinner (picked up in Keokuk)
6:00 – Drive around Nauvoo again. See the river and temple at night.
7:00 – Go back to lodge. Relax/go to bed

Friday February 5, 2010 (We can’t believe we’re really here!!!)

8:00 – The Big Breakfast (prepared by Dad with minimal assistance from Mom – clean up crew a representative from each family to be determined by each family)
9:00 – Leave authentic log cabin lodge. Visit the Prophet’s cabin and the graves. Look at the Brick Store and Mansion House. Drive down Parley Street, read the signs. Get out and stand on the water’s edge and be glad we don’t have to walk across it to Salt Lake. Drive by the corner lot Lindsay Anderson Brady owned.
10:00 – Go to the City of Joseph Stage. Walk around, reminisce, dance, sing, cry. Stand in our Angel Spot with additional family members and be glad we have each other.
10:30 – Go to visitor’s center. Look around. Watch the Movie.
12:00 – If weather permits – take a wagon ride (snow is predicted so this is probably out)
1:00 – Go back to our Lodge for sandwiches
2:00 – Visit historic sights (maybe break up into smaller groups so everybody can see what they want to most) – Blacksmith’s shop (nail ring), Brickyard (Nauvoo brick souvenir), Browning Gun Place, Bakery (get a free gingerbread cookie that ain’t too great), Assembly Hall where Emma and Joseph danced on a rare happy occasion, Family Living Center (shows how they made bread, you get a rope souvenir, show how they made quilts, etc), Community of Christ visitor’s center and any of their property (if it’s open)
4:00 – Go back to Lodge. Get ready for trip to Keokuk
4:30 – Drive to KFC in Keokuk. Buy chicken. Lots of chicken.
5:00 – Arrive at our spot across the river from Nauvoo. Eat chicken while gazing at the temple.
5:30 – Drive back to Nauvoo
6:00 – Arrive at our Lodge. Rest. Change. Relax.
6:45 – Leave for Rendezvous at Old Nauvoo at the Assembly Hall
8:00 – Clap for the old folks and tell them they did a good job. Go back to our lodge.
Relax, rest, discuss our experiences, share funny moments

Saturday February 6, 2010 (Look at us – we’re in NAUVOO)
Breakfast – self-serve (cereal, poptarts, etc.)
8:00 – Leave for endowment session at temple
10:30 – Baptismal session at the temple
12:00 – Go back to Lodge and get everybody and go to Carthage
12:30 – Eat lunch at Dairy Queen
1:00 – Go through the tour at Carthage
2:30 – Drive back to Nauvoo
3:00 – Go down Main Street and Mulholand Street, get souvenirs, fudge, bookstore, visit any other historical places we didn’t get to see on Friday
4:30 – Go to Ducks and buy some last minute supplies and snacks
5:00 – Dinner (Leftovers of all the stuff we bought and didn’t eat yet)
6:00 – Watch Nauvoo Pageant DVD (eat popcorn, Junior Mints, other movie snacks)
8:00 – Talk about our experiences and how much we love each other. Everyone be prepared to share your favorite Nauvoo experience. (I got Tommy to email me one so I'll share one for him)
9:00 – We drive around Nauvoo for a little while. Go back to the lodge - Relax, talk, Scrabble (only Nauvoo-related words), go to bed whenever

Sunday February 7, 2010 (All good things must come to an end – but they are still good things and we’ll always have our memories…)
Breakfast – Orange Danish Rolls, Chocolate Milk, Cereal, etc.
Make one last drive around Nauvoo.
Leave (Listen to Pageant Music)
Go to St. Louis and take Josh, Laura and Harrison to the airport for their flight to Salt Lake.
Drive home.
Start planning for next year…