I wonder...

Nothing new is really going on around here. David has been substituting this week. He spent one day at our Jr. High teaching Science and two days in my classroom subbing for my partner. He prefers the Jr. High because you only have to put up with any particular kid for one hour. I do have a killer class this year....one of my more difficult years.
Now I have to decide if I am going to the airport to pick up G'ma and G'pa or not. They left a message on my machine with flight times, but wouldn't it be funny to pretend I didn't get the message? Actually I did forget to pick them up one time and they took a taxi home. I felt horrible the next day but they were pretty cool about it. I guess I really will go pick them up today and hear all about their great time in Texas. I am jealous.
David now has two interviews in early February. The second interview is in San Diego.
I know I haven't said anything profound, but at least it is something new to read!

Interview

David just scheduled his first interview for grad school. Vanderbilt (Nashville, Tenn.) called and they will wine and dine him Feb. 2 - 5. They provide hotel and food and reimburse him for plane fare. Ya-ping is invited but she has to pay her own plane fare and they can't really afford that so she will probably stay home. We didn't think we would hear from schools until February or March so this was a nice surprise.

New Years Dinner

I have been meaning to post all week. We had a wonderful dinner on Monday to celebrate our New Years Anniversary. We first dated Dad 47 years ago, making this our 48th dinner together. I did a lot of reflecting about my family of origin. I am so thankful to have had the parents I did. They managed to put together a very loving, accepting and fun house. We grew up knowing we could do or be whatever we wanted. I know I stayed true to my faith during my teenage years just because I didn't want to disappoint my parents. That got me through until I managed to gain my own testimony. Mom would always listen to me talk, and you all know I love to hear myself speak so that was a lot of hours of listening. We couldn't have gotten a better father if we picked him ourselves (wait a minute, I think we did try to pick him ourselves...thanks mom for going along with our idea.) Maybe you don't all know the story.
Dad took mom on a date on New Years day 1959 and ending up taking us kids as well. Then when he brought us home we, the kids, invited him to stay the night. He said there was no place to sleep but we told him that there was room in Mom's bed. He didn't take our offer that night, but 18 days later he accepted our offer and that was 47 years ago.
As I look at how I have fared as a parent I see things I did right and things I could have done better. Interestingly enough, many of the things I wish I had done better are things that my parents did. Dinner was always a family time at our house, but in my own family we often watched TV during dinner. Now I wish I had been more persistant in making it a special time. My parents always said family prayer and had family scripture study. I wish I had been more diligent in those areas. Mark and I are doing pretty well now, but it is too little, too late. Anyway, I am so grateful for the example my parents set in living the gospel, serving others, and loving your family. We wish more of you could have been there, but had a nice visit with those who came. Here's wishing you great things in 2006.
Love, Auntie Ann