happiness....

Is having this picture in my inbox!

no photo... what?

This week we got our first letter from missionary jack!
It was written the first day he got to Sao Paulo, Brazil over two weeks ago. He told us about his long flight down to South America & how he tried to give a man seated next to him a pass along card- even though he had talked to him about what he was doing - going on a mission in Brazil for two years... denied. It'cool.
Then getting off the flight he & some other missionaries (there were 8 on his flight, going down together) talked to a young man who had been in the states visiting a friend on life support in a coma. The day before his family & friends were going to- "pulled the plug"- they said a pray and hours later he came out of his coma unharmed. He then told Jack that there must be something to prayer. Quoting Jack, "we were really stunned. I ended up giving him a pass along card & told him we had answers to his questions. He gave me his business card and tomorrow I am going to give it to someone here so the missionaries where ever he lives can meet with him. It was amazing."

Wow

This past weekend Trent regressed back to begging me to watch the movie Transformers II... again. I'm pretty sure I've lost years off my life explaining that he is not watching that movie.

If I could get my hands on the writers of that movie I would strangle them!

Finally out of pure frustration, I said- Trent- you are not watching it because there is sex. in. it! Do you know what sex is? (our other kids had that talk about or before his age- but he hasn't shown signs of being ready) He said sheepishly- no. I said curiously- do the kids in your class ever talk about sex? He said- well, they did when it first came out.... but they don't anymore.

Today the blogger moms came over here for lunch & our creative day.
I was busy making 250 mini cupcakes. 100 for Karrie's stake meeting- 120 for a wedding shower sky & I put on tonight at her house- & the rest... hmmm?
Everyone helped with the cupcakes & it made for a crazy, fun, productive, exhausting, day.
but---

I didn't take one. single. photo.

lesson learned

using your sister's razor while taking a shower is not a good idea

ouch

spring finally made it!

Friday night I took this picture of my mini rhododendron.

It had just started to bloom Friday late afternoon.

I love it!

I wish we could see the rhodies of Washington, my home state... oh how I love them.

I planted two varieties in my yard that do- okay- here in Utah. They only bloom for about a week, a few weeks apart- but they're worth it. How would it be to fly up & enjoy the rhododendron season up there one year? I think that's going to have to go on my bucket list!

Last Wednesday we had an inch of heavy wet snow-

Thursday was sunny & all the flowers starting popping out.

Winter one day- Spring the next!

Saturday it was 70.

Today it's 80...

don't worry- summer's not here yet- it's supposed to cool back down.

But- that's weather in Utah for ya!

SAturday we took Trent to the park to fly his kite.

I worked on my R.S. lesson for Sunday,

which turned out different than I had imagined, but still good.

Trent did great with his kite! It was fun to watch him control it so well.

The sun has done me some good- today I got so much done. I love the change in seasons- it motivates me somehow.

Happy Spring!

HAILEY'S GOING TO PROM!!!

Last night brett, trent & I came home from this movie (which I LOVEd) to this!!

Caution tape around a message on the front walkway that said-

"Hailey I'd die to go to Prom with you"

there was a chalk outline of Taylor Moore-

the cutie who asked her.

She is so excited

HOORAY for really nice boys who ask girls to prom!!

(unlike missionary jack who refused to go last year... boy that made me mad)

they are going to have

SO MUCH FUN

WE GOT AN EMAIL!

I don't have a photo...
I do have a lot on my mind.
WE FINALLY GOT AN EMAIL FROM MISSIONARY JACK!!
WOO HOOO for some reason blogger won't let me paste a portion of it here??
He is well- got there- has a great view of the 2nd largest city in the world from his window. He likes the CTM (Portuguese for MTC) Eats lots of rice & beans already. One of the instructors was behind him in line for lunch & told him not to eat the black beans. He asked why - the guy laughed & said he "used to be a ginger too & now look at him"- he's a big African/Brazilian guy. Jack said he laughed for nearly 1/2 hour. He LOVES the great chocolate milk that he drinks every night at 9:30 PM. His companion is from Alaska. He flew from SLC with other missionaries all going to Sao Paulo.
He is happy & he says he loves it!

**sigh**

-deep mother relief-

How does it feel this time around?
People ask me that all the time & frankly it has been easier in some ways.
Easier because this time- I know he will come back.
This time- I am not struggling with my testimony after giving up a son while not sure he would come back.
This time- he was away for a semester at college & in my head it really feels like he's in Provo.
This time- my other children are so busy & have a lot of needs right now. It's kind of nice to know that jack is okay & I'm not worrying about him.

I really know he is ready for this.

what's going on at our house mixed in with some random photos

It's been a while since I've posted...

{Chloe & I waiting at the airport on the way home from megan's}

These days I am :

1. checking my email 1,000 + times a day for an email from missionary Jack.

2. really, really irritated that he hasn't let us know he got there, if he did get there?

3. calling the mission department in Salt Lake if I don't get an email before 5:00 today!!

{jack's red hairy leg, I don't know when he took this with my camera?}

4. sending loads of good mail

5. getting ready for Brian to move home for the summer next week.

(I never imagined him moving home, since megan never did after leaving for college. We are all kind of in shock around here...)

{trent having a snack on the airplane- cool cookies that you can color with edible ink were in the $5.00 kids snack which made the price easier to swallow}

6. Happy that after spring break we are getting back to a routine.

7. Sad that there is so much homework, again- boo.

8. Busy preparing for my new calling...

Relief Society teacher. I was supposed to teach at the end of the month but another teacher needed to switch days & I'm teaching this Sunday. I was already working on the lesson, but still- now -- I'm really nervous.

9. Also preparing for scouts-- no I was not released- We are taking rocks & petrified wood out of a rock polisher today. They've been in there for over 4 weeks- so we are really excited to see how they turned out.

granola

today I made this...

it's really, really good!

catch the recipe here at

Blogger Mom's Cook

spring break

Cry fest 2010

is officially over

(aka: saying goodbye to jack at the airport)

but spring break is still on!

today I took the three remaining "living at home kiddos"

down to college town to visit Brian & do some shopping.

We had lunch at Noodles & Co. - which is fastly becoming one of my favorite places (I love the pad thia with chicken.) Then we checked out Brian's apartment before he moves home for the summer later this month. It was cool- clean & ya- a college apartment. He has big plans this summer... making money & testing out of all the Spanish classes for a whole load of credits.

Woo Hoo- let's hope that works!

We picked up Brittany & Marcus at work & saw this sweet motorcycle!

Can you believe this?

I had to get a picture but before I could get my camera going, the owner came out & started getting ready to go- so I got him in the photos too (sorry fella.) I HAVE to send a picture of this to Missionary Jack! I wonder if Jack saw this around campus? It is so cool we were all in awe.

So- we bought new shoes

checked out Archivers

stopped at See's for some chocolates

went to Deseret Book

had lunch

saw Marcus & Brittany

( didn't get a picture...? what is wrong with me?)

there you go.
Some of us- I won't name names are still sniffling from the cry fest. Some of us- are in shock & wondering how time can fly so fast. Some of us- are surprised at how little laundry there is with jack gone. Some of us- are upset & trying not to call the mission department because there has been no word from the missionary letting us know he got there...

I want to call!

What if he is standing around in Sao Paulo lost?

There's only 15 million people in that city for cryin' out loud!!!!

Do any of them speak English??

Chloe says - "that's not possible & don't call mom he's fine"

The wisdom of 13.

heaven help me

where in the world did trent get that coon skin cap?

Yes-

It's true...

I bought these boys

Coon skin caps.
Don't throw paint on us- they're not real.

We bought them on the way home from Megan's house in a little gas station somewhere between here & Cedar City, Utah-- aka: the middle of no where.
They were $8.00.
I had bought the girls flowery headbands in Arkansas for $12 each, so hey- it was the least I could do to buy the boys these... even though they are tacky & Trent won't take his off.

Every where we go these days, people comment on Trent's hat.
"Hey- Daniel Boone- he where'd you get that hat? - cool hat kid-"
we've heard it all.
It's a good thing he can't wear hats in school.
and it's a good thing missionaries don't wear hats in Brazil!
All I know is-
I won't have too many more grand kids if the plan to grow stashes, then wear these hats to their college classes when Jack gets home pans out.

leavin' on a jet plane...

This morning we woke up to 8 inches

8 INCHES PEOPLE

of snow.

That's when I knew for sure...

that Jack would have no problem saying goodbye.


Last night he was set apart (given a special blessing) to become a full time missionary. Afterward we went to dinner as a family at his favorite local restaurant & then- he got serious about finishing up the packing (how do you pack for 2 years?!)

{ on the way to the airport}
Yesterday he spent the day saying goodbye to friends, shopping for last minute details, watching his favorite movie with Brian (Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid), showing Chloe how to use his/her phone... etc.

This guy was seriously ready. to. go.

These past couple of months have been hard for him.

NOt much to do- working here & there for people- spending some time with friends- they are busy with college-

Brett & I wondered this morning if we should've made him go to school another semester & leave afterward, but I know he wouldn't have had it that way. He was ready to go.

Excited & willing.

Like, he has been preparing for this his whole life.

Really- he was that excited.

He's not the kind of kid that shows a lot of emotion- let's just say he's not animated like his mother- but none the less I could tell he was ready & thrilled for his turn at serving a mission.

It's hard to be sad when you've got a boy like this.

Shoot-

I'm not sad.

Just so proud of him.

He has studied & prayed & he knows this is what he wants/needs to do.

What more can I say?

I keep thinking of all those people in Brazil.

How many tall red heads are there in Brazil?

Like, none?!

He's definitely going to get attention.

He's got a message to share.

Now is his time.

When he gets home

it's back to college- a career- a wife- a family.

But for now-

he is in the right place

doing the right thing

and I couldn't be happier for him.

I love you jack.

Be safe.

And remember- no matter how old

or how tall

or how independent

you get

you will always be

my boy...

come home to your mom

okay?

God Bless You

to do list:

*sleep in (a little) we are on spring break-- HOORay!
*make breakfast
*pick up new piano books before piano lessons at 10 AM
*go to Costco & print some family/friend pictures for Jack
*also pick up Imodium, pepto, benedryl & loads of sunscreen & bug spray

(don't cry... no don't do it)

*buy & put photos into a little travel photo album, stationery & envelopes

*get the rest of jack's laundry done... if any

*help him pack...

(seriously... don't cry, it's not time yet... it's gonna be okay)

*make a special dinner.

*make an apple pie- we have to have apple pie! jack's favorite

*plan and have a special FHE.

*remind jack to show Chloe how to use his- almost her- cell phone.

*any last minute things we need to buy? do? people to see?

*8:30 PM go to the Stake President's office - for Jack's setting apart as a full time missionary.

Is it really possible that this day is here?

Where did the time go?

Wasn't he just a little boy... a baby even?

A son, a brother, a friend - a boy, a man.

A missionary.

I've been in serious denial for these past few months. I've tried not to think about it much- but I knew this day was coming. Don't get me wrong, I want him to go... I just don't want him to leave. I want him to grow & learn & serve & be happy. It's just so long- so far away- did we teach him enough? Will he come back?

he's my boy...

isn't he?

I'm proud of you Jack

You're going to be a great missionary.

Please, please, please- don't forget to write.

Easter

{to buy, or for information on this art work, click on it}

I believe in Christ.

I know He lives.

He suffered in Gethsemane,

died on the cross, and rose on the third day in glory.

In Christ I have the perfect example of eternal love.

I am so grateful for this knowledge, for prayer,

for a Father in Heaven who loved us enough to send His only begotten Son.

I am far from perfect- I am grateful for repentance-

for that first Easter morning.

I love Easter

easter eggs & saying goodbye

Last week we dyed eggs with megan, tony, & charlie in Bentonville.

Soon after that it was

time to say goodbye.

Hard to believe

that the next time these two boys get together-

Charlie will be walking & talking.

Jack will be talking too- but mostly in Portugese.

Saying goodbye at the airport was the worst.

Charlie didn't seem to mind it.

Although, his parents say

when he woke up he looked around a lot.

I'm sure he had to be thinking...

where did all those funny people go?