Pinewood Derby, Fathers and Kids Campout

I was thinking about divorced parents and how they take turns having the kids. Scott and I could never pull that off. If it was my turn, how would I manage 7ish kids all by myself? While Scott had these three at Pioneer Theater for Mamma Mia, I was probably...in fact, I know I was...dropping off and picking up 3 other kids at ballet and play practice, accompanied by my sidekick, Tizzy. If anything, Scott and I need more parents in our marriage. Ha ha.

The next day was the Fathers and Kids camp out in Huntsville. At home, it was 6th grade Lagoon Day for Xanthe, who went back again that night, it was our dear neighbor Ruth Ford's viewing and funeral, and of course, many ballet classes, voice lessons and play practices. Scott ended up with these three hooligans and stopped for a big, juicy burger on the way up.  I was all too happy to stay home and drive people to things while Scott froze in a tent with three rowdy kids, one of whom is a huge whiner and had never been camping. :D

They had to pull over because the light in the clouds was too incredible to ignore.

On the way home, Scott took Ptolemy to a store to buy a gift for his friend whose birthday party he went to upon getting home from camping. It was also the royal wedding, so Golda had a tea party at Coco's with her friends. She's living in Coco and Bill's guest room this summer, and she loves it. Their home is such a welcoming place, and she loves seeing her grandparents every day.

Sunday, Scott drove kids to Grandma and Grandpa's to get working on the Pinewood Derby car. Exciting stuff! Grandma made frosting and let the girls decorate cookies. It's so fun to go to Grandma's!

Bruce is a woodworking wizard.

And the finished product!

Rocky Mountain High

Golda has been in a post-mission depression since she got home and discovered that life is meaningless when you're not spreading the joy of the gospel in Hong Kong. Really, re-entry is rough. It's hard. Looking back, my advice to families who have a missionary come home, is MAKE TIME FOR THEM! Just put thing son hold. They're disoriented and sad. They just need your presence. Golda got home December 1, and we were BUSY! It was Christmastime, which involves an amped-up schedule already, but we also had Golda's homecoming, Ptolemy's baptism, Ruby's mission call, dozens of Nutcracker performances, a busy music store and countless parties and events to host and attend. I pictured Golda just jumping into the fray, but she was unable. She felt lost and superfluous. From the outside looking in, she felt like we didn't need her. I was constantly asking her to do things like drive kids to ballet, which I thought was helpful to "keep her busy" and help her integrate into life again. And, I'm sad to admit it, I was a bit impatient with her sincere sorrow. I told her it was normal, and she needed time to get over it, which was true, but what I didn't do was take the time to just BE with her. None of us did. We were all so happy to have her back, we didn't want to notice that she was drowning in the life that we had so eagerly anticipated her being a part of again.

It wasn't all bad. There was a lot of fun to be had, and slowly Golda oriented herself, but she needed to do something big, to get her heart pumping again. She booked a trip to Europe. She used every penny she had, which is the Dopp way, to arrange this trip. She worked for me on weekends at the store, and took any odd job she could find. She starved and saved food money. She took public transportation instead of driving. She needed this.

The flight she booked was out of Denver, because it was a steal of a deal. Nonstop to Paris for like $450 over spring break. Scott and I were more than happy to drive her to Denver so we could spend time with her. It was a super fun trip. We woke up early and drove without incident to Fort Collins, where we had lunch at a trendy little burger place. We dropped off Golda at the airport where she commented, "I hope this trip fixes me." If anything can fix a person, it's a couple weeks in Paris and London with old friends.

We interrupt this blog post to imform you that Araceli got her drivers license. Is that how you spell it, really? Blogger is being weird with pictures, and it's hard to upload them, so I'm leaving these here. Celi having her license has been great. It saves me SO much driving! She's working hard to be responsible and not do anything spontaneous like driving to San Francisco instead of going to seminary. She probably would if she could afford the gas.

Anyway, these pictures are in random order, but after dropping excited little Golda off, Scott and I drove back to Fort Collins. We used our free Marriott night to book the best, most darling hotel. It's called The Elizabeth, and you have to stay there. I haven't been to Fort Collins for 25 years. Long ago, I spent a week there, staying with a violin varnish guru, Geary Baese, learning his varnish secrets and riding in his Model T Ford over to Estes Park for a party. Eccentric guy, and now I see why he chose Fort Collins as his home. It's full of characters who would drive a Model T over the Rockies for a party. As a weekend getaway, Fort Collins is incredible. Scott and I discovered far too many cool places to enjoy in just one night. We had an amazing time. We'll definitely go back to try some of the restaurants we didn't get to sample and stroll the downtown area further. It was so vibrant on a Thursday afternoon, so full of people, most of them older like us, just enjoying life. We loved it.

The next day, we set out early so we could be home to work. Unfortunately, I-80 was closed due to wind and snow. What could have been a 6-hour drive turned into a 12-hour journey over the Rocky Mountains. As soon as we got everything at home squared away, we enjoyed the drive. It was touch and go over the pass outside Vail, because it was snowing and we were afraid we would be turned back without four wheel drive. Everything was fine, though, and the weather wasn't too bad. We stopped in Vail for some ramen and made a new friend, the chef. He was from California. We had a nice chat. 

In just two days, we experienced a super fun getaway in a place that's close by, yet a world away. Travel doesn't have to be exotic of expensive to feed your soul.

Casting

I miss Golda.  Mostly because she's never coming back, at least not as the girl she was before.  Yesterday I wrote her a letter telling her all about Nutcracker auditions and Homecoming preparations.  Things she used to care so much about.  Things that are completely irrelevant now, and even seem a little silly.  Golda was obsessed about being Clara in the Nutcracker for years.  You could almost diagnose a clinical condition. Claritis or something.  She sketched endless drawings for the Nutcracker cover art contest, most depicting her dream role, Clara.  She literally would dwell on it all year. She filled notebooks with lists of goals and instructions to herself, all dedicated to the ultimate goal of Clara. Six months of hope and determination, and then six months of despair.  Sometimes just 12 months of hope mingled with despair.  The worst years were the two when she got a "Clara Callback," meaning she had come closer to her goal, and thus would be - and was - more devastated when she didn't achieve it.

Driving to my Nutcracker rehearsal last night, waiting at the stoplight on 2nd North, all the endless drives to ballet with Golda and all the endless conversations about Nutcracker came rushing back.  Buying the exact perfect hair ribbon for the audition.  Selecting the fabric for the Nutcracker Bag.  The pep talks, the dissection of auditions and what could have been different, the discussions about rehearsals.  Then later, when she left home, the calls from Orem about her Nutcracker rehearsals.  A different production.  What was the name of the company again?  I wasn't needed to drive her to rehearsals or to analyze who got what part, but at least Scott and I got to go see the production.  It was one of the last times we saw her dance onstage, and the sorrow of that realization penetrated Tchaikovsky's peppy, festive score.

Now, our little dancer is out on the world's stage, just like we hoped and prepared for.  Yet there are times when I feel like Golda with that role of Clara.  I can audition and audition, but I will never make the part of Golda's Mom like I had it before.  That role has been taken out of the production.

Dearelder.com

I just wanted everyone to know how to write a letter to Golda without having to mail it.  If you email, she can get the email on Wednesdays.  But if you send an electronic letter through dearelder.com, they will print it out at the MTC and deliver it to her that day in her classroom.

Go to dearelder.com

On the right-hand side, select MTC- FREE as the mission you want to write to (Not Hong Kong), and select "Write a letter."  I beg you not to send cookies or any other care packages.  They are SO overpriced!!!!  There are other companies that can do that MUCH cheaper.

Then you'll see an "envelope" on the screen. Enter your "return address" and Golda's address.  Her unit number is 12, her mission code is CHN-HK and her departure date is August 30.

Then you just type in your note and click "send letter."  That's it, and she can get it the same day.  It sounds complicated when I explain it, but it's not.  Try it!

First Letter!

 When we got home from dropping Golda off, this gem was waiting in our inboxes.  There is so much to say about the experience, and so many thanks owed to so many generous friends and neighbors, that I don't know where to start.  For now, I just want everyone to know how happy we are that Golda is doing this, and how happy she feels, too.


I'm a missionary!!!
There is no way to properly express how I feel in an email, but I will just
give you a quick rundown and reassure you that I am so happy and that I
know this church is true....

My host was from Davis, the one who got called to Cambodia; Casey Cheney.
She was so nice and helpful and led me through a bunch of doors so I could
get all my official missionary stuff. I got my badge first and the
characters look so foreign and so familiar at the same time. It was a
whirlwind of doors, greetings, and instructions. My companion is Sister
Briggs, who I have been messaging on Instagram! She seems so nice and I'm
glad I kind of knew who she is already. My room has three sets of bunkbeds
and three closets. After dropping off my luggage and getting a big bag full
of language material, I went into my lesson building. Two brothers
immediately began speaking to me in Cantonese, then led me to this room
where I completed an informational video/quiz and get to email you!
It's so strange how normal this already feels. I feel so happy and
excited-I can definitely feel the prayers from everyone, so thank you! I
think I will learn how to introduce myself today and will be praying by
Friday!!
I am so grateful to be able to be hear and be taught by wonderful people so
that I can teach people about Jesus Christ. I have never felt so peaceful
about where I am than now. This is where I am supposed to be.
I love you all so so so much and better get going back to Sister Briggs and
begin learning Cantonese! This adventure has begun and I could not be more
thrilled or excited.
CHARITY NEVER FAILETH
Dad-eat a lot of Michelle's cookies and say hi to everyone
Love you all,

--
*Sister Dopp*

The Big Farewell

The morning of Golda's farewell, Jennie came over to slice rolls for me, and deliver her contribution to the treat table.  I really have the best friends and family, and Jennie is both!

Austin looking dapper, helping set up after church

Bazails, all the way from Miami

Rachel, Evyn and Lewis

Jillyn, Emily, Jess and Christine, more excellent friends

Abe and Josh

Celi's friends, Ryley and Faith

Tom Whitesides and Dad.  Tom and SuzAnn have been my parents' good friends my whole life.

Gary and his daughter Maggie, more life-long friends.  I was happy to see Gary; we have so many high school memories, and beyond.  The other day, I was reading my junior year yearbook.  That year, I was a class officer and my friend Nate Crowther was too.  He wrote, "I'll love you forever," or something, and I realized that, yeah, I still love that kid, and so many others that shared my growing up years.  There is something irreplaceable about old friends.

Tricia and SuzAnn

Jim, fresh out of his first Mormon sacrament meeting!

Micaela and Trajan

Kate, Kayla, Izzy and Lilah, three Neeleys and a Gus.  We were so happy the Neeley Dopps could come from Arizona.

Hmm...Freestone at Nana's.  That's random.

Aunt Loretta and Marlene, speaking of lifelong friends/family.

And Bruce and Uncle Ken

Golda's college friends

Cade, Free, Jake, Austin, Alex and Lincoln

Danny, Jessie and Frank, DeBry cousins

Amy Abel and Emily Major, dance friends

Clytie Su Robinette!  Her mom Sarah was there, too.  I love all the Adams women.

The Ericksons, our neighbors who lent us three tables.  Thanks, Jacy!

Emily, Ella, Amy and Emily

Mandy and Chris Zeschke.  Chris is our home teacher, and he is always there for us.

Tiffany Hess

and her beautiful Charity

Tom and SuzAnn

Grandma and Grandpa

The Harveys.  You know...Nephi's dad and my dad are best friends?  Neph went to Hong Kong on his misssion.  I think he's a bit jealous of Golda.  ;)

Leslie Weir and Beth and Ross Vellinga.  We have so many good neighbors.  Half of our street is not LDS, so I took them invitations to the farewell.  The Van Velkinburghs brought Golda flowers and a card, and the Comishes brought a card with a generous donation inside!  We truly live in the best place.  We are absolutely surrounded by goodness, love and generosity.

Aunt Nikki

Aunt Jenny

Phil and Nancy Hadley

Ann Gammon

The Hatch family...or part of.  Emma and Kyle.  Jennifer, why didn't we get you in this picture?!

The Altieris.  It was so neat to have them here with us on this special day.

My mom always looks exceptionally darling.  How does she do it?  I don't know.  I did not inherit this gene...or skill...or whatever it is that tells you that magenta shoes are a good idea.  She is beautiful!

I borrowed this banner from the Padgets.  Their daughter Ashley left for her mission to Puerto Rico a few weeks ago.  She is Golda's friend (besides Emily) who went to Rome with us.

Evyn and his dad, Lynn Conrad, arriving at the farewell in style.

Golda's talk in sacrament meeting was exceptional.  She has a pure and noble spirit, and she sees things so clearly.  Just as I don't have my mother's fashion sense, I don't have my daughter's spiritual steadfastness.  It is something I admire about Golda, and all of my kids.  You can read her talk on her blog at sisterdopp.blogspot.com.

The other spiritual part of the day was after the big party, when we went to the church for Golda to be set apart as a missionary.  President Mellor broke into Spanish for Victor and Sofia, explaining everything as he went. I was happy that my parents and Josh and Emily were able to be there, but I wish we had known ahead of time, so we could invite Scott's parents and any other family members Golda wanted.  It was very last-minute, and we just ran over to the church with the family that was there.  I think the stake leaders were just busy with Trek preparation.  Once they were in that room with us, they really took care to lend gravity to the situation.  The spirit was strong.

I was perturbed that Golda had to be set apart three days early, due to the leaders leaving for Pioneer Trek the next morning, but Golda wasn't bothered.  She was so ready.  The next few days, with Golda being an official missionary, were both unique and trying.  All said, I'm happy we had the chance to be with her after she was set apart.