Our 12th Wedding Anniversary and General's Meeting

Today was our 12th Wedding Anniversary. We didn't do anything to "celebrate". Didn't feel the need to. But we said Happy Anniversary all day long and told each other why we're still in love and glad to be married to each other. (I'll keep that private though!) Precious Ann also made us an Anniversary card.

We met our good friends, the Browns, for a tour of a Life Flight Helicopter and Airplane. The kids and Paul REALLY liked it, so did I! It was a great time, including a free barbeque lunch. We also just love when our families can get together. The kids all get along so well. The Brown kids are so fantastic and fun-loving. Steve and Stacie are terrific parents- they know when to tow the line and when to let it all out!! We just love being around them. It's nice to have a "set" of friends, there is someone for everyone.

Then I spent the afternoon packing and getting all the last little things ready for our trip to Seattle. Oh boy is there a lot to do! I'm still not finished, but am taking a break. I am about 75% done. It is a lot of work for one days worth of meetings, but we attached a couple furlough day to it too.

I'm looking forward to taking the kids to the Space Needle. We looked it up in the Encyclopedia at dinner (a regular thing in our home). Of course we'll do lots of swimming at the hotels! And whatever other trouble us Chouinards can get ourselves into. When we go to hotels, Mommy always takes us on a late night "mission" to the vending machine on one night. Hannah is old enough to go this time and the kids are already talking about when it will be. We sneak out in our jammies and take the stairs but have to act like "secret agents" so nobody catches us in our jammies. We laugh so hard at some of our "moves"! It is soooo silly! But you know how it is with kids... you do it once and they want it every time. We've been doing it since before Ann was born. (I do make sure to wear a bra at least, LOL!)

It dawned on me tonight that there are 3 Divisions getting together for the General's Meeting (which is now the National Commanders meeting due to our dear General not being able to travel from the UK). I am really excited to see some of our old friends!! I will be sitting in the Lobby outside of the meetings because this time we were told no nursing babies. I was actually even excused from coming! I have to admit I was quite surprised by this. First time I've been told that. But I do know what it's like to be in a meeting with screaming children when the parent won't take them out. I have taken all my babies to all sorts of meetings, and one little peep and we're outta there. I will just trust their judgement on this one. Wednesday morning is the Officer's Councils and we have some sitters for that (except Mary). We will be accross the street at the meetings and the kids will be in the hotel room with the sitters. I went to Fred Meyer today and bought them each a surprise activitiy to do. Paper Dolls and 3D coloring books. Paul will take David, Elijah, and Ann to the evening meeting. That will of course be a FULL ON Salvation Army Meeting!! They will love it and I am praying for their soft, little hearts. Hannah, Mary and I will wait in the Lobby. Maybe we should just be the greeting committee.

Baby is crying... time to go!!