February Frazzle

 First of all, I'd like you all to know that today was a Snow Day for the Soulsbyvillans!!  I'd also like you to know that this storm was completely unexpected, so unexpected in fact, that swim practice was held in the blizzard, which everyone expected to blow over.  As soon as school got out yesterday, it was a mad rush to the cars and buses, as students scrambled to get home in the slush that was quickly building into a couple of inches of snow.  Sonora cleared out fast, but some people were stuck on blocked or snow covered roads for hours.  Fortunately for Tess and I, we have some family friends who live about a mile away from the high school.  After fish-tailing while trying to get out of the parking lot, we opted to wait out the storm at their house and we were both very grateful for the warm house and food.  It was an adventure, and the best part of that adventure is that  today is a snow day!

 Now I am going to go back a few days and fill in some gaps in the calendar.  It has been crazy here!  A week-and-a-half ago, our family traveled to the Marin Headlands for a few days and enjoyed the beauty and sunshine of the beach and the bay.  We returned to school for a few days, during which I (Marta) discovered a serious poison oak rash (blisters and all), we celebrated Valentine's Day (notice the cleverly cut carrots below), swimming continued, and Marta and Tess went on "El World Tour" with the band and performed at all 6 of the elementary feeder schools in the county.  When the weekend hit Mom took a trip to San Francisco with her friend Jayna to see "Wicked" and visit the temple, Levi and Dad spent a night in the "snow" (there wasn't much left) at the Klondike Derby, and Marta and Tess held the fort down and made a very colorful cake (see pic. below) with the help of our friends Ariel and Brenna.  When everyone finally got back in the house Saturday night, we had a family meeting and Mom and Dad let us know that Dad was going to be released from his calling at church (2nd counselor in the bishopric).  We were all getting excited because after 6.3 years of him sitting on the stand, we'd finally get to sit with dear old Dad in church!  Of course, that's not what Heavenly Father had planned for us, and we found out that Dad had also been called to be the new Bishop of our ward.  Fortunately for Dad, I knew right away what he needed to be Bishop, so by Sunday morning we already had a nice stash of candy for his desk :)  On Sunday, Dad was sustained as Bishop Houghton and his two counselors were called as well.  Monday we spent the day cleaning out files and manuals in Dad's new office, and playing basketball at the church.  We also had the families of the 1st and 2nd counselors in the bishopric over, and enjoyed dinner and FHE with them.

 Anyway, I guess you could say that our family is embarking on a new chapter in life, and it's only getting more exciting.  We receive letters from Eliza and calls from an increasingly mission-anxious Luke all the time, and church, swimming, school, work, and retaining walls occupy the rest of our attention all too well.  

But it's days like these- when you're stuck at home for a while and Mother nature reminds you that she can control life more than any school project or swim practice- that time seems to hold still and give you a breather.  I love snow days!