September 16th

This week it's me writing...Joanna. :). We just wanted to give you an update on our little family. Last Wednesday to Wednesday we were able to help take care of Rich and Jen's children while they took a trip to NYC. That was a lot of fun for us to be in that big beautiful home, and practice being "parents" of many children. Lucky for us they are great kids, and they made it an enjoyable experience for us. They were good to help make dinners, clean up, and to help support each other with school work, practicing, bedtime, etc. We learned a lot from them about family life, and having love and kindness in the family. In exchange Jen gave us a beautiful boquet of flowers, and promised to take care of our kids someday when we go on a couple's trip. Nate's already making plans.

Since Wednesday I have been getting back into the routine of things here.....cleaning, cooking, and taking care of little Mason. He is such a sweetheart! We put him in bed around 6:30 at night, and he sleeps all the way until 6:30 the next morning. He also takes a nap at 9am and 1pm. He is gradually gaining more and more confidence with taking steps, he loves eating pear sauce, bread, and mommy's milk. He still laughs whenever I play "peek a boo", or tickle his tummy. He loves books, and opening up cupboards wherever he can. He loves his Daddy also, and continually says "DaDa" all day long, and lights up when Nate comes home.

Nate is working hard, studying pretty much all day at the BYU Library for the LSAT. I am trying my best to support him, by taking jogs with him in the morning, and having a dinner ready for him when he comes home for about an hour to eat. He's casually looking for part-time work, but I think will become a more serious looker after December 1st, when he takes the actual exam.

I am enjoying teaching, and taking a photography class on Wednesday evenings as part of a three week continuing education program through UVU.

Angie and Isaac have been angels to us. We enjoy trading off with babysitting so we can go on a date or to the Temple. We also have dinners together sometimes. This last Friday Angie and I and our little ones were able to take a tour of the Brigham City Temple, and although it was a long drive to get there, it was well worth the sacrifice, and a wonderful experience for all of us! The Temple contains elements of both the Nauvoo and the Salt Lake Temple (our pioneer Temples), and also has stain-glassed windows with peach blossoms and wheat buds (both common in Brigham City). It is a small, but remarkably beautiful temple. President Packer will dedicate it this Sunday, as Brigham City is his home town.

Today we attended Stake Conference where Elder Oaks spoke to us about helping single people feel a part of their wards and had his wife speak. He also spoke about civil and political issues - being civil about them, trusting in the Lord's timing. It seems his main theme was on focusing on issues we can control. He cautioned against right-winged members of the Church not to become involved in paramilitary groups. It's a good thing, because Nate and Mason were thinking about joining one :). jk.

Those are the most recent adventure of the Freeman Family