It's been a week.

One entire week, 

since my Stake President's interview, 

since my papers were officially submitted.
Since I started the wait. 

I mean,
I can't believe I'm at this stage already.
Waiting for my mission call.
What?!
I sort of like the mystery of wondering where I'll be sent,
because once I know,
I'll never unknow.
You know?
So I'm taking the time to enjoy not knowing. 

We took the little Snider's to school today.
It's Rye-Rye's first day!
Kindergarten.
Whoo-hoo.
[Rye isn't crying in this photo, he's covering his eyes from the sun,
but for real,
he was a champ - he loved it, no tears shed - not from him at least,
Eva...]
Three down, one to go.

Poor, sad Rita.
All alone.
There's only one cure for a feeling like this,

The Serpentarium.
You'll be so scared, you won't have time to feel sad that you're siblings aren't around.
Honestly,
there are hundreds of snakes here.
and some are huge and venomous.
But first,
turtles:

At first,
we didn't even have food.
They just saw us and swarmed over.
Insane, right?

 And now for the snakes:

Look at that hand to snake size comparison!
There were so many snakes.
Vipers.
Cobras.
Coral snakes.
Cotton-mouths.
Rat snakes.
So many.
I particularly liked the boa constrictor because it's obviously the same one used in HP1
when Harry speaks parseltongue and uses magic to make the glass vanish,
 releasing the snake.   

Crocs and alligators too,
I know,
this Serpentarium had it all.
This photo doesn't do the alligator justice,
this mama was HUGE.
On our way out,
the lady serpent worker asked us [in parseltongue] if we wanted to hold a snake.
I understood,
but Eva didn't.
It took me a few minutes for me to understand why.
You see,
when Voldemort attacked me as a child,
he unknowingly stored a part of his soul in me - giving me some of his powers.
I was nine when I learned I could talk to snakes.
We accepted.
[After I translated for Eva, of course]

Siiahasse Heth.
Seessaa Ahhassee
Excuse me,
the serpent lady let us hold two snakes!

Rita didn't know what to think of them.
Sssiiaahhnorraaahhh. 
We left.
Then I left.
Now I'm home.
Working and waiting.
One week down.