Homecoming

A young man in our ward hosted an alternative homecoming dinner and dance last month for one of his Faith in God projects. He wanted the music to be fun and clean. He also wanted an appropriate dress code. I was asked to help with the decorations. The theme ended up being "Inner city, disco, warehouse". We had a very limited budget and it still turned out way cute and fun!
Kendall is a freshman so she went to the dance after going to dinner at Cantina Lorado with her friends from school. She had a terrific time in her new great dress that she and I worked on together. She picked out the dress pattern and the fabric and I sewed it. We just didn't have time to help her sew this one.
She looked beautiful and so grown up.

Kendall's fabric choice



"Vintage Purple"















One of my favorite things about her dress is I only had to use this once!




Beautiful...

Sweet Peas in D.C.

We took Kendall's best friend Stephanie with us to D.C. We will definitely take her with us on a trip again. She is a delight. Kendall and Stephanie are like two peas in a pod. They get along amazingly well. I had the best time hanging with these two. The weather was a little chilled which made it all the more fun for these sweet peas to get dolled up and have their picture taken. We took pictures all over and I filled one whole SD card and there were hardly any pictures of the sites. Just these two gorgeous gals. What fun!!

Fall Break in D.C.

We went to D.C. for fall break this year. This was my first time in that city and I loved it! The weather was perfect all week. We stayed in a hotel on the corner of F and 9th street. The city is so clean and pedestrian friendly. All the memorials and many of the museums are free. We bought a metro ticket for the whole week and it took us everywhere we wanted to go. So the vallet parked the car and we didn't see it all week. We either took the metro or walked and walked and walked.

My favorite museum is the Smithsonian National Art Gallery and the Sculpture park. I really enjoyed the botanical garden too. There are so many things we never got to see so we must go again soon.

The Washington Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Sunflowers

Things have finally slowed down a little in YW's lately and that has given me a chance to spend some time with my Laurels. I have been able to take a few of them to ice cream and interview them about their Personal Progress. Sometimes I am so busy just getting the logistics together that I don't get to enjoy the part I really love about YW's and that is the girls. These young women are so amazing to me. I love how teachable they are. I love how inspired they make me feel.
We have a new Laurel class presidency and they are just a delight. Our activities always turn out terrific thanks to the great work they always put in. I love that I can count on them to carry out their responsibilities.
This last week one of my Laurels heard I wasn't feeling very well and she brought me a bouquet of sunflowers and a get well soon balloon. Every morning when I see those flowers I smile big.
I took another Laurel to ice cream on Monday and when I brought her home, in her driveway I saw a little jar of handpicked marigolds and a bowl of garden veggies next to a little paper sign that said "Thank You Sister Kingsford" . So thoughtful. I am not sure if her sisters did it or her mom, but it made my day.
Just like the Sunflowers my girls make me smile big.

Letters From Home

Brendan left for Japan Monday August 20th. He called us from the LAX airport and we got to talk to him for an hour before he boarded the plane. We called Kendall at school for a conference call and then she called Kimberly at work and so we all chatted with him together. It was so good to hear his voice. He was so excited and a bit nervous. We got an email from him the next day and he said he had arrived in the mission home. He said he would email us the next day and we didn't hear from him. I had a feeling he wasn't doing too well. I do have that extra sensory perception when it comes to my children. Clark kept saying "don't worry he is fine". But I still felt anxious for what he might be going through. I got and email from him yesterday and I was right he was depressed some. He said that he felt he had been dropped off on an alien planet where all the aliens were doing a really bad job of pretending to be Americans. Then he read my last letter to him and he felt comforted. I feel that way so often when I read my scriptures. I feel like I am getting a letter from home and so many times an amazing feeling of comfort washes over me. I cried when I read his email but I am so glad that my letter made it to him before he left the MTC.
We have a blog set up for Brendan at www.elderbrendankingsford.blogspot.com. This is where we post parts of his letters and emails and pictures that he send us.

Heaven Sent!

Don't know why but I was feeling sorta low. Nothing came to mind as to why. I just couldn't shake it. It was not that time of the month even. Then I looked out my kitchen window and I saw him in my bird bath. A gift from heaven! Wow! I AM loved.

Blue Birds are my Favorite!!!

He appeared to be doing some serious house hunting...

Does his wife approve?

"But, I like this one!!"

Next year they will stay because I am getting them a real blue bird house!

The Last of June

We left for Orlando June 27th. I thought I would never get packed! All the girl's camp junk was left in my garage and on my living room floor as we bolted out the door. We stopped in Tuscaloosa to pick up Kimberly and Austin. We rented a van in Birmingham and Kendall got a back seat all to herself. Kendall's dance team won a scholarship to the dance competition and Hollywood Vibe hosted a special gala, including a nice dinner, for all of us.

We stayed in a 5 star hotel and got the park hopper tickets to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. We were in Magic Kingdom for 4th of July fireworks by the castle and all around us!! So fantastic!!! The weather was great for us Alabamians! No complaints. Many happy coincidences blessed our trip with so much fun! I loved every minute of it.
Austin and I love Animal Kingdom. Clark and Kimberly's favorite park is Epcot. Kendall's favorite park is Hollywood Studios.
We missed Brendan.