Tiffany Heads Back to Illinois

It wasn't easy, but Tiffany made it back to Illinois today. We all got up early again--Steven to go to the MTC, and Tiffany to be ready for Greg to pick her up. I got up to make sure they all got out the door. Tiff and Greg left at 6:45 a.m. for the airport. Greg's flight to St. Louis was scheduled for about 9:30, and Tiff's for 11:30. I got on the internet to keep track of their flights. At 11:00 Greg's plane still hadn't taken off. I called Tiff to tell her and she was surprised because she knew he had gotten on the plane on time. So, a little later, Greg's plane finally took off. Now it was just about time for Tiff's plane to take off. She thought maybe they would get to St. Louis about the same time. Then, just as Tiff's plane was about to take off, the airport was shut down again, just like it was yesterday, so that the runways could be cleared off. Anyway--long story short: as I was pulling into the MTC parking lot at 1:30, Tiff called to say that her plane still hadn't taken off. I think it finally left at about 2:30. Greg's plane landed in St. Louis at about 2:00, and then Tiff's landed about 3 hours later. So he had to wait there at the airport for awhile before she came in. He met her there at the airport; they got her bag, and then they went and got some dinner before heading to Charleston, which is about a two-hour drive. They finally got there after a long day of waiting and travelling. Fortunately, Greg could stay at his folks' house in Sullivan (about 30 miles away) last night and not have to drive another two hours to Athens. We glad they made it. Now Tiff can be there to start classes in the morning.

I went to the MTC for fast and testimony meeting. It was nice. Quite a few elders got up to bear their testimonies in Spanish. I could even understand a lot of what they were saying. We have no sisters in the branch right now. Two new ones will be coming on Wednesday, along with eight new elders.

For Sunday dinner tonight we had chicken with rice and mushroom sauce. It turned out to be pretty good. As Camden was eating away, she said, "This is just what I was thinking I wanted for dinner tonight." That's kind of funny because it's not one of my "usual" dishes. So I'm glad I fixed what Camden had been thinking about.

Dinner with Greg and His Family

Tiffany and Greg had a full day today trying to fit all their visits and activities in. First they went to BYU to drop in on a few people, then over to Sis. Black's to get her "approval" of Greg. Can't do anything without Sis. Black weighing in. One day a few years ago when Tiffany was working for Sis. Black, they were walking across campus and visiting. Sis. Black said to Tiff, "I hope you won't marry Gabe (a fellow Tiffany worked with on the Winter Quarters project). If you do, I won't give you a wedding present." Tiffany told her she didn't need to worry about that. Then when Tiffany left to go away for work and school, Sis. Black said, "You'll probably go back there and find someone tall, dark and handsome and get married." So she was a pretty good predictor it seems. After visiting with Sis. Black, they went to see National Treasure 2 and then over to the T's for a visit. Then it was time for dinner here with Greg's mom, his brother Scott, Scott's wife Laura, and the Barrett gang. It was a pretty good house full. For dinner we had sloppy joes, potato salad, chips and yummy veggies from Lindy. It was a fun evening getting to know Greg and his family better. Richard was at work, so we missed him. After dinner, Greg wanted to visit with Steven (about what, I wonder?), and Steven suggested that we all four sit down in the living room for a visit. That's when Greg said that he would like to marry Tiffany and would we approve? We told him that we thought it would be great if that's what Tiffany wanted and she said it was. So, things seem to be heading towards "official." After our visit, Tiffany and Greg left to go visit with Blake Roney, who is a friend of the Bowles' family. I think they've gotten in plenty of visiting for one day!

Greg Arrives

Tiffany's friend, Greg Bowles, arrived today. He flew here from St. Louis, and his plane landed at 10:00. But he wasn't able to get off the plane until 11:00! Steven, Tiff and I went to the airport to meet him and had planned to meet Karalie for lunch at 11:00; but Greg didn't even get off the plane until then. So we called Karalie and told her it would be closer to 11:30 when we would meet for lunch. I think Greg was glad to finally get off the plane and to be with Tiff. (An earlier plane at the gate where Greg's plane was supposed to come in had been unable to leave because of engine trouble; so Greg's plane finally went to another gate out in the boonies and the passengers were able to get off.)

Greg seems like a very nice young man, and we were glad to finally meet him. Karalie said she also had to meet him and give her approval, that's why we all went to lunch today. She agreed to meet us at the Lion House, where we enjoyed good food and conversation. After lunch, we told Karalie goodbye, and then we drove down to Orem. Steven and I took Richard over to AF to work, while Tiff and Greg went over to Pleasant Grove to see Greg's mom and his brother and his wife. Later they came back here to meet with the Relief Society presidency, who also wanted to meet Greg; and then they left to go have dinner with Tiff's friend, Emily, and her husband, Nick. I think they'll keep plenty busy with all the visiting they plan to do before Tiff leaves on Saturday.

Steven and I had a nice warmed-up lasagna dinner together. It seems kind of quiet around here all of a sudden after all the activity that's been going on. We're looking forward to dinner with the Barretts and Greg and his family tomorrow evening.