Mario's Kabul Branch

Erin's alien

Prayer

Mario was telling me that one of his co-workers asked him to give a "blessing" before their mission today. They had to travel further than normal and with the recent attacks in Kabul, I guess this guy was feeling a need for prayer. From what Mario has told me, he doesn't seem a particularly religious man. Another co-worker agreed that a prayer would be a good idea and asked Mario if he would like to pray. Mario told him that he was leading this mission so it was up to him if he wanted a prayer. A fourth guy who is religious agreed to a prayer. So all four of them bowed their heads as Mario said a prayer.

That scene with them all dressed in their armor reminds me of the painting that hangs in my family room. I am grateful that Mario sets such a good example for his troops.

American Girl Doll

The American Girl Doll saga continues. Eric and Erin made a trade today. Erin gave Eric her DSI that she recently purchased off of ebay in exchange for $40 and her doll back. So Christy came off of ebay. I have to admit, I was pleased with the deal. I think they both came out winners on that one. Eric got a DSI for only $65 out of pocket. Erin got her doll back that she can sell anytime she would like to make up the lost money on the DSI. I was glad to see the doll stay. I am pretty attached to them too. I feel that they keep Erin young and the longer we can keep her young, the better. I am not ashamed to say that I enjoy dressing them with Erin. It is something we both like and have in common (we both like to cook too, but dressing dolls doesn't make me gain weight.)

Gila Valley Temple Dedication

Today was a great day! Eric got to attend the 9 am session of the Gila Valley Temple Dedication and Erin and I went to the noon session. We had to alternate sessions because Nate and Zach aren't old enough to attend. It was a beautiful dedication and I am glad that our Stake was able to participate. An interview with the Bishop was required to attend, so Erin got to have her first temple recommend interview.

I was a little sad during the dedication because I saw all the husband and wives sitting together enjoying this special moment and I was sad that Mario couldn't be there. I knew he would want to be there more than anything. But this last 3 months will pass quickly. Seeing the slideshow of the many beautiful temples during the first 30 minutes made me dream of a time when Mario and I are hopefully able to serve a temple mission together.

The boys were well behaved for Eric while I was gone for that 3 hours. Everyone got along really well today and I felt a lot of peace in our home. That reminds me of a promise that I think came from President Eyring today...when we attend the temple, we will have peace and those around us will too. I loved that. I wish there was a temple in Tucson. Then I would go weekly just for that blessing alone!

Pet Tortoise

Mario's shop has some new pets...4 tortoises. They were a gift from their translator. They were supposed to go in their new fountain. Unfortunately they sink, instead of swim like turtles, so they have to live in a wood box. From what I have seen (through several pictures), they get a lot of attention when they are out for a walk, even from the General on the base. Sounds funny to walk a tortoise!

The boys want to know if Mario can bring one home in his suitcase.

Under $5

Mario accused me of stealing after he saw what I bought at a yard sale today for under $5 without even negotiating.

I can't believe the lady didn't just take everything to Goodwill since it is way too much effort to have a yard sale to just give stuff away.

Pamered Chef large stone with rack (new)-25¢

3 Table clothes-50¢ each

3 candles holders-$1

Genuine Longaberger basket-$1

Salad Spinner-50¢

2 vases-10¢ each

cupcake/apple holder-25¢

This was our first yard sale of the morning and we were on bikes. So we had to go home and drop off the loot and go back out. Our second yard sale had American Girl Dolls for sale for $25 each. I had to look twice. You can easily sell these dolls on ebay for 2 or 3 times that price. One was a 2005 retired doll and Erin really wanted her. But she didn't have $25 and I stopped giving loans (I don't want the kids to become accustomed to borrowing money.) I told the lady that she should sell them on ebay. She said she thought about it. She had a daughter Erin's age and so we picked up a couple pairs of shorts and shirt for Erin for 50 cents each. When I went home and told Eric about the doll, he said he would pay for it and sell it on ebay. So I went back to see if they still had the retired doll. They did and so I bought it along with lots more shirts for Erin. But then I felt guilty about putting it on ebay since they lady thought it was for Erin (why that matters, I don't know-she had her chance to ebay it and decided not to.)

I got home and didn't know what to do. I felt bad since Erin really wanted the doll and so did Eric (that sounds funny even saying that.) But, I decided (with the help of Mario) that Erin shouldn't get the doll because she can't pay for it. Eric should get it because we are encouraged to make money (Mario quoted the story of the talents in the Bible.) So I let Eric buy it with the intention of selling it on ebay. But then Erin asked him if he would sell one of her other dolls and let her keep Marisol (she really is cute.) So she gave Eric her "Just like Me" doll with some extra clothes. Marisol would easily sell for more than Erin's doll because she is retired.

Sorry about a long blog from our morning of yard sales. I was just excited about my good deals.