August 2008 email

Hey family, how are things with all of you.  We have been doing so much that I thought I should give you all another update. 

First of all, Richard and I both have callings now.  I am teaching the 11yr. olds in primary (my first primary calling) and Richard is teaching Gospel Doctrine.  We are both really excited about our teaching opportunities.  On the Sunday I was called to be in the primary I was also filling in for a friend leading music in Sacrament meeting.  When I went to report to the primary I got roped into leading the music there too because their chorister was gone.  It was a full day of leading but luckily I know how and can serve that way confidently (thanks to Mom.)  It takes a lot of work to do that much leading though (especially if you are like me and have to flex while leading to keep the arms from jiggling.)  I am glad I get to sit and watch someone else lead from now on. 

We got to join Mark for his first Cub Scout activity here.  We went up to a family's home (which is in the middle of their 50 acres, or was it 80?)  We went on a very long hike, learned all kinds of things about the plants and animals around us, and had a lesson in a pretty grove of trees about Joseph Smith.  It was really neat.  Then we had a great lunch, watched one of the scout leaders free a bunny that he had rescued and raised, played around in the trees, had a water balloon fight and used a huge sling to shoot water balloons.  Oh and we also watched the boys get their awards.  The scout leaders are retired men and women who just love to teach and play with these boys.  It was just about one of the best days ever. 

Two weeks ago we went to the Douglas county fair.  It was so much fun.  The kids really loved all the shows, looking at the animals, and going on rides.  We gave them all a small amount of money to spend as they chose.  It was very entertaining to watch them decide how to spend it.  Face painting or cotton candy.  Two rides and a treat or three rides.  In the end everyone was pretty happy with their decisions and there was no whining.  Hallelujah for that.  One of the shows was a magic show and Laura got to be a helper on the stage.  It was really funny to watch her up there giggling at the silly magician.

Just after the fair we went to a Baughman reunion at Lake of the Woods (a 2 hr. drive from here near Medford.)  It was a ton of fun.  The weather was hot so we spent the bulk of both days in the water.  It was so much fun because they put in a dock and there were a couple of blow up boats available to the kids so there was a never ending flow of little people to and from the dock, taxied by an older sibling or cousin.  I loved watching the little people and visiting with my fun family.  All but two siblings were there, which is pretty amazing!  Also, all of my extended family was there except for one cousin.  It was a lot of fun to see everyone. 

We have been really busy getting our school preparation done.  First of all there was the shopping.  The kids loved that.  We got all the school supplies on their lists, bought new shoes and a few other clothing items to add to what we bought earlier this summer.  Then there was Richard's classroom.  That is still a work in progress, but it is looking great.  He has some fun bulletin boards and great high tech equipment that the school supplied for him (like a Smart board and Elmo if you know what those are.)  Last has been the week long schedule adjustment.  We are still in the midst of that.  We are going to bed early and getting up at six to make the first week of school better for everyone.  It is so hard to adjust, but I am happy we are doing it now and not next week. 
I also started exercising this week.  I am sore.

Well, the visitor count is up from last letter.  After Annette brought her kids then Grandpa Baughman came for a visit on his way to Eagle Point.  After that it was Mom and Serena, Annette and Russ, Laurie and Jay, and finally Grandpa again with Jean. We are pretty lucky the reunion was so close to us.  It has been fun to be closer to family we haven't seen for a while. 

I have to say, for those of you that I haven't talked to recently, I love Roseburg.  I am not just mildly pleased with our situation, I am so excited about it.  I love the beauty of the area, the people that I have met, the schools, the slower pace of life, everything is just as Richard said it would be, maybe even better.  Even the weather is great.  It has only rained two times since we moved here.   Now we just have to find a house (which may take a while.)

Today we are off to new student registration and the kids get to meet their teachers.  They are so excited.  We love you all and want to hear from you so send us a note some time.