17 September 2023
VOLUME 11 – NUMBER 521
Luis and Emma’s baby Amir
We were so excited to hear that Luis and Emma had their little baby boy on September 9! They named him Amir Ocean Bautista. We hope all is going well for the three of them and their new little family.
I have also finished me second week of teaching at BYU, and I am happy to say that it is nice to have kind of settled into things. Transitions and new starts in life can be a little stressful, but I think most of the wrinkles have been ironed out now, and that’s a relief.
One of Dad’s BYU classes
However, I am realizing that it is much more time-consuming that I originally guessed to create my lessons from scratch. While my previous teaching of this class is helpful in the understanding of general concepts, after nine years, things are very different now!
BYU has ended up being more than a full-time job for the past couple weeks, and I worry that it might be that way through the end of this first semester, so it has been difficult to balance MyPack responsibilities. I look forward to hopefully having things even out eventually, but that might not happen until January!
We’ve also struggled to book dog training appointments lately, partly because of that imbalance, so that has been a little stressful as well. But, as I’ve said before, we know things will work out!
Monte and Hazel homecoming picture
I’ve been waiting for this week for around a month now. At the start of the week, I got all of my clothes, my tie, and materials to make a corsage. About half way through the week, after trial and error, I finished the corsage, which I think turned out nicely.
Next came the day of Homecoming! We had a Constitution Day breakfast with the stake, and Dad took me to go pick Hazel up so she could come. On the drive back Dad gave Hazel and I a lesson about the US Constitution, and how it was inspired by God to allow us the ability to have a free country, and for the church to be restored in a land of religious freedom.
At the end of the activity, we went to grab Gloria, who was going to be our third wheel (Riley had a last-minute change of plans). We were about to head home to start the activities, when we decided to have Marcelo France be our “fourth wheel.”
Decorating homecoming t-shirts
We all walked back to our house and began drawing on t-shirts. It was just something you could have fun with, and draw what you wanted, so I decided that mine would be drawn with things that happened throughout the day.
I started by drawing an Uncle Sam hat with a volleyball behind it, and then a t-shirt with a marker next to it. I also may or may not have added a Lochness Monster at the bottom back of the shirt with words above it that said, “Is that a tattoo!?” (Mall Cop movie reference).
Once we finished with that, we went to Kneaders for lunch. We got some super delicious sandwiches, and when Hazel ordered, the person said that the sandwich she chose was pretty small, but when her plate arrived, it was this massive sandwich! She ate about half, and gave the other half to me and Marcelo.
Lunch at Kneaders
We went strait to Nickel Mania afterwards. Hazel and I started off on a roll winning tickets, but at some point we kind of got tired of the carnival games, so we did some racing games with each other, and then shot some hoops.
After we realized Marcelo had 1000 tickets on his card, we just gave up trying to win, and went and played one of those shooting games in the enclosed boxes, which was her idea. When it was time to leave, Hazel suggested that I get the big inflatable banana that was hanging up on the ceiling. Even though she was joking around, I just decided to get it any way!
We dropped Hazel, and Marcelo off at their houses, I got ready for the dance, and then we picked up Hazel, and went to Copperton park to take photos. Gloria was our photographer this time. We had so much fun figuring out what would make good photos.
I then took Hazel to Cafe Rio, and we shared a quesadilla. I can’t remember what we talked about, but we also just looked at our photos. Dad was our chauffeur, so after he and Gloria drove us there and dropped us off, they grabbed some Chick-Fil-A and ate it in the car while they waited for us to finish.
Hazel and Monte at Copperton Park
We then had the scary part. Hazel had tried to get tickets online earlier in the week, but the website wasn’t really working, and nobody told her that if you are bringing someone who isn’t a student at Kearns, then you need to fill out this whole form beforehand.
We walked up to the desk, and she bought the tickets, and then the person asked Hazel where her date was. I think we both thought we were toast, because she gave me this worried face, as she pointed me out. Then the person at the desk told us…to head on in and enjoy the dance!
So we walked on in, and Hazel introduced me to some of her friends, who had been wanting to get to know me. They were super cool people, and man, they could dance! I had an amazing date, and it was just super fun!
Monte and Hazel at Kearns Homecoming
I had a dentist appointment up in West Jordan this week, so I decided to take the train up and get some work done on the way there and back. Mom and Joanna picked me up from the train station and Joanna was asking me all these questions about the train, so I had the thought that she might have a fun time riding back to Provo with me and spending a couple of nights.
I think she really enjoyed the train, and had a fun time being down here. It always amazes me how much little kids love anything outside of their regular routine, and I have a fun time creating those experiences for my siblings.
I still had to work on Friday while she was here, but I took breaks to take her to the pool and then the park. I had planned a last minute camping trip with Ashton, so I thought it would be fun to take Joanna with us.
I could tell that she was a little uncomfortable at first and wasn't sure why this was the way she'd choose to spend the night, but by the end she was talking about how much she loved it!
I always love getting away and into the mountains and the peace that seems to fill me as I ponder and pray and just breathe in the nature!
Quinn and Joanna tied together after fight
On Saturday we went to a breakfast at High Bluff on Constitution Day. We had donuts muffins and orange juice. There was also horseshoes, Nine Square, face painting, and coloring.
When we got there the US Army had come to raise the flag, and to be there and have fun. It was so cool because I got to play Nine Square with a couple soldiers who were playing. I had a really cool experience.
When we got home, Monte was doing homecoming with Hazel, so I went with Quinn upstairs and we built with the magnets and knock-it-down dominoes. The dominoes would be the attacker and the magnets would be the kingdom.
Decorating Homecoming t-shirts
I am finally caught up in math, and my grades are pretty good in my other classes. I also had a presidency meeting on Wednesday. It was more like training on what my calling as a young women class president means. I am grateful for accepting that calling.
On Thursday, I found out that Riley was not going to be able to make it for the day date on Saturday with Monte and Hazel because his brothers had a mountain bike race and he had to help his dad, because his dad got knee surgery. Later that night, Monte, Isaac, Kai and I all went to stake sports and played kickball.
On Saturday we had a community US Constitution breakfast. I played some Nine Square and talked to some people I haven’t contacted in awhile.
Gloria “third wheeling” it at Nickel Mania
It was also Monte's homecoming date with Hazel and without Riley, I was still going with them as a “third wheel” on the day date. During the breakfast one of our friends from the ward named Marcelo Franco decided he wanted to join and be a “fourth wheel” with us.
So we went to our house and drew on shirts. After that we went to Kneaders for lunch. After lunch we went to Nickel Mania for a few hours.
I also took Monte's and Hazel's Homecoming photos because I was the photographer throughout the date. While Monte and Hazel went to dinner. Dad and I stayed in the car until they were done. Once we dropped them off the dance, Dad dropped me off at the region dance, which our stake hosted.
Hazel and Monte at Copperton Park
Well now that we're back in NC and school has started for the high schoolers, I am back in the swing of teaching early morning seminary. This is the start of my third school year having this calling and my class is the smallest it's been in those three years. Usually we have an average attendance of 15-16 and now it's about 10.
The dynamic of the class is very different than what I'm used to, but all the kids are so good! It's different, but a lot of what's different is better as far as class atmosphere and participation. I'm looking forward to finishing up the year in the New Testament and then moving on to the Book of Mormon in January!
Quinn and Isaac working on school
Some of us had to be to the Constitution Breakfast earlier to help set up tables and chairs. Chinel and Kat were there so I hung out with them and the region dance was that day too and so I asked Shinel and Kat if they were going and they were so I was so excited.
We got to the dance and Isaac walked up with me and then left, so I was there alone, and it was outside, so I was super-cold, but I waited till Shinel and Kat got there. They stayed there for a little bit until Gloria came, and then they left because it was really cold.
So it was Me and Gloria, and another person from our ward named is Mariel so it was nice to have some company. I did not like that it was outside because it was really cold. but it would have been really fun if Monte and Hazel were there.
Caleb at branch activity
Joanna came to visit London for the weekend, and we got to watch her during London’s temple shift. Joanna came to the Pope family’s Come Follow Me night.
She seemed nervous at first, but after eating way too much pizza and some horsey rides on my back, everyone was best friends. My niece, Tatum, keeps asking where her new friend Joanna is each time she sees us. Love you, Joanna!
I’m taking a family finance class this semester at BYU. Endia and I are have started ourselves on a tight budget. It’s not the easiest thing, but it feels very rewarding.
Quinn painting
I finally learned how to play golf! I may not be that good at it, but I now know how to golf! For our youth activity Hermano Mendoza (second counselor in our bishopric) wanted to teach us how to play golf, so we went to a golfing range, and he taught us how to swing.
Monte and I were the only youth that participated in the activity. Herbert Munguia and Nico Franco were there playing too, but they're kind of our leaders (18 and 19 years old). So yeah, I had a great time at our activity.
On Thursday we had another Stake sports activity, and guess what? It was kickball again. Not my preference. I would have picked something more like basketball, but whatever. I still had a fun time playing, sort of.
Caleb and other missionaries on visit
We had to wake up early on Saturday to prepare for the Constitution Day activity at High Bluff Park. Basically, all we had to do was transport chairs and tables from our stake center to the park. It was pretty easy, and the party was fun. They had a bunch of sports set up, and they had an awesome breakfast for us.
While all of the Homecomingers were doing their thing, Isaac and I decided that we should also have a party. Mom and I went to the store to get the treats. When we got back, we ended up watching Hamilton, since Isaac and I have been learning about him in school.
Yarima's amigurumi
While Isaac and I were getting ready for bed, Mom asked us if we could pick up Gloria and Veidi from the region dance. We agreed and walked up to the church to pick them up. We had our hoodies up, so they didn't see us, and we decided that we would just follow them home, and see if they would notice us and get scared.
In the end Isaac started running at them and they freaked out! It was funny, because afterwards hearing it from their point of view, Veidi was getting really scared of us, and she told Gloria that they needed to run, but Gloria said that it was fine. That's when Isaac started running at them.
When we got home, Isaac and I went to our rooms to go to bed, but we weren't really tired, and what do we do when we're not tired? We read. We read 'til we couldn’t no more!
Quinn’s Batman face paint
I ate breakfast at a park with everyone else. We ate donuts, and we played Nine Square. I also got my face panted. We went home, and then Joanna came back from camping.
On Tuesday night, our apartment had a dinner at our Bishop’s house. It was great to get to know so many of the people since everyone seems like they are new in our ward.
On Friday night, London, Joanna, and I went camping near Spanish Fork and it was honestly really nice to have that to kick off the weekend.
Then on Saturday I got to witness the craziest BYU game and possibly the craziest football game I’ve seen with BYU at Arkansas. It was so wild, and such a fun game, especially because we won! There’s always an exciting air in Provo after those types of big wins, so it has been great soaking it in.
Monte and Hazel at Kearns Homecoming