11 February 2024
VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 542
Riley, Gloria, bodyguards for Sweethearts
This week I have been trying to get everything ready for Sweethearts, which is on Saturday.
On Thursday we went to the temple as a family. we are going once a week again. We usually go back and forth between the Oquirrh Mountain and Jordan River temples. Every time we go my day is so much better knowing that I did something for those who didn't have the opportunity.
On Friday night, Riley and I got to hangout so we can talk about what the plans are for Saturday.
On Saturday, the first thing Riley and I did was go to Walmart to get snacks and cookie dough. We went to his house and made cookies and talked with his family.
Gloria with boutonniere she made
After a while we went to Jack in the Box for lunch. It took a while to get our food. Then we went to Target and picked up a few facial masks for the next time we hangout. For photos we met up with Aiden, Jace, and Monte. They were all dressed up as 50s mafia because they were going to join us for the dance.
Then we went to Jace’s house, and they made our dinner, which was really nice. Aiden had a soda bar and for a while we talked. After dinner we went the basement, where Jace had a gym, so we worked out.
We didn't want to be at the dance super early so we went 45 minutes after it started. We went to the dance and I had a great time dancing and talking. It was funny watching the Aiden, Jace, and Monte dance.
Gloria and Riley Sweethearts photo
The week that Aiden, Jace, and I have been preparing for has finally arrived! The Scaletta brothers got hired for a job. Being Gloria’s and Riley’s “bodyguards” was super fun.
And not only that, but we got to be their chefs as well. While they were on their day date, we spent the day preparing for dinner, at our restaurant, which we named “Raphalio’s.” And not only did we act like Italian mafia bodyguards, but we dressed like them as well, including when we went into Walmart.
Jace, Monte, Aiden as bodyguards
Once we finished our shopping, we went to Jace’s house and went into his basement and worked out for a little while. After that we made some spaghetti with meatballs and garlic bread sticks, and Jonny (Aiden’s mafia name) was the soda bar tender.
After that, we just went to the dance and had a lot of fun. A part of me wishes I had a date to these things, and I know you all will tell me to find one, but there’s something really fun when you get to do these kinds of things with the boys.
Riley and Gloria at Jack in the Box
Mom and Dad had a temple endowment session this Saturday. It was with the adults, but Isaac and Veidi went with them cause they were gonna watch the new episodes of The Chosen in a theater afterwards. I stayed home with Troy, Quinn, and Joanna. Monte and Gloria couldn't go because they had work during the showing time.
Troy, Quinn, Joanna, and I all played the Switch. We played Mario Kart and some Super Smash Brothers. We also had some ham and cheese sandwiches with cookies, and we watched Narnia.
During the show, Riley came over to pick up Gloria, because they had a dance that day. The rest of the day was pretty chill. I had a fun time with Troy, Quinn, and Joanna.
Owen
This week I had a Valentine’s party with my friends. We made homemade pizza and played games. It was a lot of fun to chat and just spend time together.
I’ve been very blessed with this group of girls and never thought I’d have such a great group of “mom friends.” Having them has been one of the biggest blessings living here in NC! I’ve learned a lot from each of them and I’m super grateful.
It was my mom’s birthday this week and even though she lives in Utah, we thought it would be a good excuse to get cupcakes and “celebrate!” We met up with my sister and her family and had a little picnic. It was a little hectic cause it was windy and the frosting on the cupcakes stained faces/teeth, but it was fun!
Braden, Brooke, girls at picnic in park
This week I got to go watch Fiddler on the Roof at the Hale Centre Theatre. I really love theater, and especially love musicals. I always leave thinking how fun it would be to be in a musical. Maybe this time I will actually go and do it, who knows!
Cougar started working so we are getting into a new routine and I have a few evenings a week all alone at home. I have started going on walks and am trying to fill the time with things, but Owen takes up most of the time, and that's okay with me!
Joanna reading under an umbrella
At work, we have been advertising a scholarship that MTC teachers can apply for. Over the last two weeks we collected over 95 applications, and that means we have started to read each of the essays attached to the applications.
This has given me a new perspective on grading from a professors standpoint. I don’t think I’ll ever write an essay the same after this experience, ha ha!
This week I also turned in a substantial amount of cash I had collected from before my mission. This money had been sitting in a box with my passport, social security card, vaccine status, and other important documents.
I joked that it was my getaway box that all the spies had in the movies. I finally deposited it in a bank, since having hundreds of dollars on a shelf not doing anything seems like a wasted opportunity to put it in a bank and let it at least start earning a little bit of interest.
Boys playing games
This week I got in contact with a lot of people from my mission. It was really good for me to talk to a lot of them. I felt like I was reconnecting with the me when I was serving a mission, and also the me now.
I also got out and tried to make a little bit of money by snow shoveling some peoples driveways. I didn't have much success as far as clients go, but it was nice to get outside on my own and trie to do something new and productive. I'm glad I tried.
On Saturday we went to the new temple in Orem for an endowment session. It's a very beautiful temple. After we went to Five Guys and ate. Endia, Owen, Cougar, Isaac, Veidi, Ashton, London, Dad and I were all there.
Then we went to the movies to watch the new episodes of The Chosen. They were supper good and there are so many lessons you can learn by watching. It was all so much fun.
Riley and Gloria
Dad, Monte, Isaac, Kai, and I have been playing a lot of Minecraft lately. Dad has been building a bridge across the ocean, and I have been helping him with supplies to help him build it.
While we were using the bridge, I found a new land. I am planning on bringing my villagers home because I just found a village in the new land that me, Kai, and Dad explored. I am very excited because this is my first time ever finding a village with villagers.
Gloria and Riley at Sweethearts dance