Monday was a huge day for Lee. He had to take the ANCC exam which would determine if he could practice as a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. So many hours of study, worry and stress led up to that test. To say he was nervous would be an understatement. Thankfully, he found out immediately the results of the test. And…..HE PASSED!! So much relief! We were both so excited.
To celebrate we went to lunch.
What a relief to have that over with. Now he would just have to wait for all the licensing to go through and then he could start working as a nurse practitioner. He spent the rest of the day relaxing and we went on a little walk to Canby Community Park on a trail we hadn’t been on since Emma was little.
And of course we got ice cream at DQ. We took a Blizzard to Emma at work. (Our new ward meant a change in our mutual night which meant Emma has to work on Mondays. Boo.)
So proud of this guy, and so happy there will be no more studying!!
Tuesday night Isaac and Grace had soccer practice. It was wet, but not raining when they left.
Not long after practice started it began to pour.
By the time they got home they were drenched. Classic Oregon soccer!
Lucky Emma didn’t have school on Wednesday. She went with a few friends to the Japanese Gardens to fulfill a requirement for their AP English class.
Thusday morning cute Grace and Autumn were matching at school. Not a surprise!
It was also the first day of the novel study group for these smart readers. I love helping with this group.
I wasn’t as happy with the first book they read. Their reading teacher was a brand new teacher and she chose a book that was under their level and most of them had already read it before. But it was fun and we enjoyed it. I had to send this picture to Joo Lin though because apparently, we have the kids with hard names to spell!
I went shopping later that day and I found the perfect Halloween costume for Lee. He could be all comfy in these Snape pajamas. He wasn’t interested. Darn.
I also bought the powdered pastries for our upcoming Primary program practice. I had to document it for my presidency.
I was pleasantly surprised at all the Homecoming dress possibilities I found for Emma. She was happy to see so many choices! It’s much easier to shop for Homecoming than Prom. She picked my favorite one.
That afternoon Isaac and Grace survived many rounds of stair sledding. Crazy kids.
We also had a crazy bout of weather. It started with a tornado warning. Yes, a tornado warning in Oregon. Kind of strange!
Soccer practice was cut short. Even scarier the warning was exactly in the are of our house and the church building which was where I needed to take Emma that night.
We didn’t run across any tornadoes, but the sky was absolutely beautiful.
Susan Burnett took Emma home after mutual and they came across fires started from power lines that were blown over. It was kind of a weird night! We were glad to all be home safe that night.
School was out for all three kids on Friday. That must have warranted naps on the couch.
We went shopping for Homecoming shoes at the mall. Isaac was being very helpful!
He and Grace begged to go up and down the escalator. Emma and obliged them.
Lee and I went to the temple that night and Emma went to work. Saturday morning it was really cold in our house. We figured it was time to turn on the fire so Lee lit the pilot light before he left for the missionary breakfast (followed by golf with the boys).
We continued to be cold at Isaac and Grace’s soccer game.
When we got home our house was still freezing. We figured out that our heater was broken! It was going to be a cold weekend.
Despite the cold, Emma still had to get ready for Homecoming.
Danielle Apken did Emma’s hair again. She did Kaitlyn’s too. Love these girls!
Then it was time for Spencer to pick her up.
Dad had to step in to help with his flowers.
Then they were ready to go!
I followed them to the Sunderland’s house where they met up with some of their group.
Spencer was Homecoming royalty and Emma got to try on his crown.
I’m so glad these good friends could go together.
They made friends with a cat that was eager to be a part of the group.
And then they were off. They had a great time. Emma came home all smiles.
The drive to Ward Council on Sunday morning was beautiful. The scenery makes the long drive worth it. 
After our church the twins and I went to Canby 2nd Ward to watch their Primary Program. I needed to remember how they go and Isaac and Grace were happy to support their friends. I was unprepared for the emotions that hit me when we pulled into the parking lot. Even worse when we walked through the doors. That building felt like home and I so missed the people of that ward. It made the ward change hard all over again. But I made it through the program and we took some pictures afterwards in the beautiful fall leaves.
Emma made us cookies that afternoon. Our favorite Sunday treat!
Perfect way to end a busy week!
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