Challis Power

March Madness!   Yes, the Challis KU fans are sad that the Jayhawks lost in the second round, but the first round was great, especially because Elder Challis got to go to the game with some of the kids at the Vivint Arena, just three blocks from our apartment.   Henley (almost 4) and Hal (almost 2) were my buddies at the apartment.   Long hall ways for running and elevators for button pushing are pretty fun.             My hopes that there would be some “spillover” from the tournament into the Library were realized when a couple of young statisticians showed up and wanted to “learn what it was all about.”   I helped one of them set up an account and start his tree.   Family Search then came up with some records of his family. He was amazed--and he was hooked, especially interested to learn more about his grandfather.   I am sad when someone tells me that they don’t know their grandparents because I grew up with all four of mine close—and I LOVE being with my grandchildren.   

I apologize to the few weekly readers of the blog for not writing last week.   No time or energy with the “missions.”   Happy to report this week from the “baby mission” that Luke and Elle are cordless!   We can carry them about the house now and try all the “keep-baby-happy gadgets” like the swing, vibrator, and space baby chair.   The twins left the house for the first time for “fun” on Friday.   At least, it was fun for Brent and Lindsey to go to a family dinner at Jaynie’s without arranging for a baby sitter.               Mitch and Lexi and their kids drove out from Kansas for spring break—it was hardly spring with six new inches of snow.   They stayed with Christopher and Melissa, but came to play with us in the Discovery Zone at the Library and walk through Temple Square.   On our p-day, Elder Challis got to drive one of the snow machines they rented near Heber, with Spencer flopping around behind, “hanging on for dear life.”    On their drive out from Kansas they detoure

Sister Challis reporting for duty once again at Headquarters after a two-week leave-of-absence to feed, diaper, and cuddle babies; organize pantries and closets; fold laundry; wash dishes; run errands; play games with grandkids; celebrate;   wash slime out of a toddler’s hair; hem a wedding dress; and address wedding announcements.   An unnamed friend chided me for leaving Elder Challis and mission duties behind, but I only felt a little guilty while I was serving a Help-Lindsey-Survive-Twins Mission; a Help-Autumn-Survive-Being-Mother-of-Five Mission; and a Help-Noel-with-Wedding Mission.   Truth be told, it was difficult to give up those missions and return to Headquarters.   The Sunday I was in Olathe with Autumn’s family, baby Seeley was blessed—wearing the dress that her mother and her older sister Ruth wore for their blessings.   In the blessing, her dad counseled her to follow the example of her mother and older sister.   Really glad I could be there.   Elder Challis n