Volleyball

Well, they lost first round but I am still very proud of them. They worked hard and had a lot of things to work through this season. Ashlin is second from the front and Shaley second to last. Shaley hated to miss out on the last few games but still went along to support her team.

Ashlin serving. For the first part of the season she didn't serve because of the rotation. Coach changed things up toward the end of the season and Ashlin really improved with her serving.

This is her specialty...blocking. It was so fun to watch! By the way congrats to Ashlin for making the All Conference team!!!

Updates

Ok. I don't have a camera because we have been using Chases. I will just have to write updates with no pictures until we get a camera. We got Chase off to Brazil on the 28th of October. It was a tough day. I kept asking why something so good felt so terrible! The first two days were pretty hard but it got better after that. I have felt so good about it since then. I was anxious to hear from him. We had been told no emails while in the MTC but I guess that wasn't true. We got an email from him today! It was so exciting. I wasn't expecting it and there it was. He is doing sooo good. He is loving it and his testimony was so good to hear. He love Brazil and the language is coming along...he says he may have it down in two years. The feeling we have had in our home is wonderful. It has only been 9 days and we are already feeling the difference.

Now on to everyone else. Eldon and the girls are gone tonight to Mesa for state. Our volley ball girls made it to state. They worked pretty hard all season with all kinds of things working against them. Their new coach (who is also Makennas excellent 5th grade teacher) has been great and has become a good friend of ours. Shaley is unable to play because she broke her wrist. She broke it a couple weeks ago in practice. She dove for a ball and slid into someones shoe. It is the floater bone (I think that's what it is called) and it doesn't do any good to cast it. She wears a brace and that helps a little. She has a little bit of a stubborn streak in her and was determined to still play..well the pain finally got the best of her so she has been cheering them on from the bench...she has hated that! She is hoping now she will be able to play basketball. The problem is that this injury could take up to 16 weeks to heal. Me and the three younger kids stayed home from state this time. We decided not to take the kids out of school plus Trey and Cale just started basketball this week.

WOW...it is real!

Chase got his packet in the mail today with his ticket, travel info and name plate. He was so excited! I think I am too. We went today and finished all of his shopping.

What a great day!

We had a wonderful day yesterday at the temple.

Mixed emotions.

Chase with Grandpa and Grandma Goodman. They are two of the most amazing people who have been so important to me in my life!

What a tough couple of weeks I am having. All of you who have sent out missionaries please tell me it is normal to feel anxious. It is so crazy to feel so happy about sending Chase off on his mission but yet so hard and sad. I am at this point just ready for him to get gone so we can get the first little bit over with. I hear that is the hardest time. I am trying to get my schedule really full so I can stay busy. His farewell is this weekend at 9:00 here in Duncan for any of you who can attend. It will be a fun day. All of my family but Dane will be here. (He has a business trip) All of Eldon's family will be here as well. That will be a huge group in it self. It is always fun to get family and friends together though. I guess part of the emotion roller coaster had to do with Chase getting sick this summer. He was sick with mono. My testimony of fasting and prayer has grown in huge amounts. All of mine and Eldon's family and some friends fasted for Chase to be able to be better and to be able leave on time...our prayers were answered. I know Heavenly Father has something important for him to do to get him out there on time. He is going to be a great missionary. He bore his testimony last Sunday and I had a few people tell me afterward that his testimony sounded like one of a returned missionary. I agree, he has always been one that I look up to because of his faith and his testimony.

Family pictures

We had a fun weekend in Pomerene. We took family pictures and actually had everyone cooperate real well. We went to Tucson on Saturday and got some of Chases mission shopping done. Time is getting away from us so we need to make one more trip to get finished.

Homecoming week

It was homecoming week this past week so it has been crazy around here. Especially with a junior and a senior who happen to be very competitive. Weds. night was the powder puff game. Shaley and Ashlin were on opposite team but it luckily ended in a tie! Of course all week there were comps going on at school, dress up, money jars etc. Shaley and Ash were both chosen by their classes to compete in the Mr. and Mrs. Wildkat comp. The girls and their partners both did a great job. For the comp they had to have a talent , have a casual and a formal out fit and go through a question and answer portion of the contest. Shaley and Devon switched roles, he was the girl and she was the guy. Their talent was excellent. They did the evolution of dance...very cute. Unfortunately they got last place because Devon being dressed like a girl adjusted himself a little too much. Ashlin and Joseph did the Michael Jackson's Beat It. It was excellent! They practiced for weeks. And they won!.....Maybe some day I will figure out how to get video on my computer and post it for you. Last night was the homecoming game...not a real good outcome for the team but Shaley was crowned Homecoming Queen! We were very excited for her!

Brittney, Charmaine, Shaley, Bonnie and Haiden. They are beautiful girls!

Shaley and Devon in their formal wear.

Casual wear

Their "talent"

Ashlin and Joseph in their casual wear. We were going for the 80's look. She wasn't crazy about the hair do but it brought back a lot of memories for me! It is hard to tell what she has on here but it was the Flashdance look with the sweatshirt hanging off the shoulder...she even had an arm load of jelly bracelets...I could have really gone over the top with this one~

Beat It