missionary jack & the end of the cat

Yesterday Jack, Brett, Brian & I braved a very rainy day & drove to the bank.

Jack got out a big wad of cash & we headed to Mr. Mac.

Jack has been saving for this day for a long time.

He wanted to pay with $100's.

He is such a funny guy!

We went to Mr. Mac to load up on all of the stuff Jack needs for his mission.
He has a big list...
and only a couple of weeks until go time.

He was fitted for a new suit.
He only needs one for his mission in Brazil. Brian took two. They were both completely trashed by the time he got home.

He also needed 5 pairs of slacks- washable.

Jack is what we like to call a "lenky, as in lengthy, cowboy" so it's nice to have everything tailored to fit him. For some reason my boys (except trent) have always loved to dress up.

Brian got a new suit too.

To replace the shredded mess of a suit he wore home.

The other suit he threw away in Chile.

Just in case you are wondering if he changed much on the mission-

this photo is proof positive that he's mostly the same ol' brian.

Jack bought 8 white shirts.

7 short sleeved- one long- he has a couple more long sleeves shirts at home.

It's hot in Brazil!

What a handsome fella!

Again- these tailored trousers are going to be nice.

Shoes-

he bought two pair.

Brian bought two pair too...

they were trashed in the first year.

Missionaries walk A LOT.

Jack should average 11 miles a day.

Brian easily did that.

Missionaries usually don't drive much in foreign countries but jack might.

A good pair of shoes is essential. Brian bought a pair for $20 in Chile after his Rockports wore out... they only held together for three weeks. A good lesson in you get what you pay for. When he came home his shoes had cardboard liners in them he had cut out. I wonder if these Ecco Fusions & Florsheim's will last the whole two years for jack?

I don't know what these two are grinning about here... but I like this picture.

The best part-

Picking out the ties!

He bought seven.

Dad & Brian had a lot of advice.

It was good to see them together, talking about their missions & what they liked to wear & not wear. I really worried about have teenage sons when i was a young mom. I've loved it.

It was a pile of fun here on the way out!

Here's the bill

$1134.86-- substantially less than Brian spent.

Jack needs no winter clothes... sweet.

We still have more shopping to do- but suits & pants are being tailored & we are on our way to completing the list! I am really proud of him for paying his way out the door.

Lucky for us, when we got home Marcus & Brittany were here making an authentic Brazilian dinner for Jack.

Jack's birthday is Tuesday- this is an early gift.

Marcus went to the Recife, Brazil mission. Just above where jack is going.

This dish was delish! It's called- feijodoa

It was black beans & meat (pork ribs & sausage) boiled together & served over white rice with onions, tomatoes & lettuce.

Marcus & Brittany are fantastic cooks & so adventurous!

After dinner we headed over to closing night at CATS!

It was so fun to have Marcus & Brittany come along. Trent came too!! and guess what??? HE LOVED IT- amazing. That's how fast paced it is.

Brian, Cory, Zach & Jack

Ya just gotta love this kid & his spiky red hair.
I'm going to miss him terribly...

Brian's best friend Cory is on a mission in Guatemala. This is his little brother. He was Growl Tiger in the show & was FABULOUS!!! THis picture is for Cory. He comes home in July & moves into brian's apartment in the fall.

Hailey rocked the show!!!

She was so good & so brave & ya-- love her too.

Hailey & brothers- this is trent not wanting jack to pick him up...

Jack was ticked off because I suggested I ask one of the stars to take her picture with him... who knows- I mean she'll be in college when he gets home- get it? Hey, I tried, I was just lookin' out for the guy.

No- I didn't do it.

big baby

Hailey & sis- chloe.

We missed you megan!

Hailey & her BBF Tiffany

What a great day
too bad day light savings started this morning

I could barely keep my eyes open through 9:00 church....

IT was worth it!

catching up...

It's been such a busy week.

It feels like a month's worth of activities have happen this week.

We had Brett's sisters & parents here.

We ate lots of yummy food & visited.

It's been way too long since the three of them have been together.

Now that I think about it...

I'm not sure when they've been together without all the kids & spouses.

We did all the Utah type shopping...

and went out to lunch at Rio Grand downtown.

Susannah was an absolute dream to take everywhere.

She is such a doll- we miss her.

Monday night we went to see Hailey in Cats.

I can't even explain how GREat this show is!

It's shocking that a highschool can come close to a show this good.

-It is FANTasTiC-

It's so fun to watch. It's fast paced, the music is great, dancing...

Hailey is still having panic attacks..

yes, it's been a long show for her very worried mom & dad.

But, she is a trooper & keeps on going.

She is my hero- she just keeps doing her best & not letting it get her down.

Keri got her picture taken with one of the stars..

Rum Tum Tummer (sp?)

We are going again tonight - closing night.

Even though it's been a good experience over all, I have to say...

I'm not sad it's coming to an end- not sad at all.

I've been every night but one, when brett took a turn without me.

I love theatre- there is nothing more fun that watching your own children perform.

honestly the stress, it's getting to me

I love that hailey....

a family kind of weekend

This weekend

Brett's mom, dad & two sisters came to visit.

A year & a half ago, brett's mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

She is very lucky that it is progressing slower than average & she has three children who love her so much. Every six months Brett's she comes to our town to visit with a specialist at the University of Utah. This time- his sisters went along. It was so nice to have them here, to see the clinic & meet her doctor.

Saturday night we celebrated Bretts dad's birthday which was last month.
(my battery was dead on my camera so I didn't get pictures of him blowing out the candles!)


We were so thrilled that Lyn could bring her daughter.
She is two & has been with Lyn & her family
since two days after she was born ...

and was officially adopted last December.
She is absolutely the most precious little thing ever.
She had us all mesmerized - especially Trent.
She has had some severe health issues & is blind.
Trent didn't realize -even with all our talking- that she is blind. He played & played with her. We took her for a walk on Sunday around the neighborhood, trent wanted to push the stroller. I explained that she is special & we have to be extra careful- she was in a new place, new sounds etc. He asked, "why is she more special than me?" I explained that she's not more special than him but she's blind & can't see. He was stunned & upset. He wanted to stop walking and suggested we say a prayer for her. He said, "Mom, Jesus can unblind anyone! Maybe at the second coming He will unblind her?" I guess he is listening in church!?
Yes, I told him- I think He will unblind her.

Crazy... but no one had more fun with them here than Max & Bronco.

They are definitely a DOG family!

Keri had them all over her & they have been sad since she left yesterday.

If she didn't have three dogs of her own ...... hmm?

This is the first time they've seen Brian since he got home from his mission & the last time they will see Jack -- because he is leaving in a few weeks.

ouch.

We had a big Sunday dinner & chocolate fondue Sunday night.

Besides loving the dogs-

Everyone was so willing to play games with trent.

He must have played Battleship & Sorry ten times while they were here!

Keri even let him help her crochet.

It's a shame we live so far apart.

*do you have family close in your life?

crazy blog!

This crazy blogger- won't let me post pictures!!!

what in the world?

I have so many photos I want you to see...
Thursday night brett's parents came to visit.
His two sisters came Saturday.
We are having a marvelous time!
Saturday night they all visited while I went to Cats to watch hailey & enjoy the show. It's such a great show! I'm loving it. But.. not loving Hailey's troubles, bless her heart. She is so brave. She is doing good- thank you for your prayers & fasting & love.
It is much appreciated.
Sunday we went to church & ate a delicious dinner. We played games & had chocolate fondue... fun. today we've been shopping & went out to lunch. Brett took the day off. Mom has a doctor's appointment this afternoon. I stayed back with the kids...
We are all going to CATs tonight.

hopefully- I will post some pictures soon
Work with me blogger- work with me!

only 20 more days,,,

until we get to be with

Charlie!!

(and megan & tony)

meow.....

Last night was dress rehearsal!

So...

I snapped some photos of our little kitty cat.

"Dollantina" is her stage name...

ha ha- all the kids had to come up with stage cat names.

She was waiting for her ride
and kindly posed for me.

Cute huh!?

Here's a shot of some random cats back stage during intermission.

The boys all have on jeans & under armour shirts, transformed of course.

No spandex- helped to ensure male participation.

Amazing- huh!?

these incredible costumes are made by parents

Here are-

Hailey, Tiffany & Justin

My three favorite cats!

*update: we are pretty positive the are panic attacks now...

and she is working on it.

If I had to get into a cat suit & dance around a stage I would have a panic attack too-

so really

WHO

can blame her?

misc.

Last week the blogger moms

some of us

got together for our weekly creative day.

Yes, we still meet weekly.

We are all so busy- plus there is so much sickness going around- that it's been a while since we have all been together.

I was working on the blankety blank cat costume-

Speaking of CAts-

Look at this cutie pie!!!

This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago at the

makeup workshop they had for all the cast.

Hailey was chosen to be one of the models- HOOOraY!

It has really helped to have this photo now that she is doing her own makeup!

(she does a better job than the artist did too!)

On a different note:
I found out last week that brian can split an apple in half with his bare hands.
who knew?
He was home for three days because his care was in the shop.
bummer- & big $$$

Two Saturdays ago- Ruthie came down with the peanut.
Her older son had a birthday party in our part of the valley - so they hung out at our house for a bit & we went shopping. They don't have a Target in her town- the horror- can you imagine?


He's getting big now!!
***
Last Friday night after ballet carpool & CATS rehearsal
around 8:45---
brett & I finally got to spend some time together & went out for dinner.

I found this clover in my salad.
I love it!
I'm so happy my camera was in my purse & that I thought of taking a photo!
I so frequently let photo opportunities slip by...

Today:
BREtt bought 7 airline tickets to Megan's town.
For this month
this month... because -next month-
jack
leaves.
one more trip
everyone
together
I AM SO HAPPY
I love how he knows how to make everything better

smokin' hot scout fun

Yesterday was scouts.

We moved our meetings to Tuesday afternoons & I like it!

We are working on the Geologist pin & did all the "hard" work last week. This week, my fantastic new co-leader had the brilliant idea to make volcanoes. Last week my brain was mush.

So we made these- paper plate volcanoes.

There is a dixie cup in the middle of the paper plate, it's covered in aluminum foil. The boys put a couple of teaspoons of baking soda in the cup & poured in some vinegar.

fun

I love how boys think the smell of vinegar is the worst thing on the planet, so funny.

WEll- I wanted to take it up a notch- and we are the skit at pack meeting this month... so we decided to make one big volcano of paper mache.

(it was crazy hair day at school- which explains the hairdo of the blond guy here)

Next week we will paint it & then for pack meeting we are going to show it off with a fabulous red lava flow!!!

(I will cover up the cream of chicken logo on the side of the box... before next time...)

Who says cub scouts isn't any fun!?
Don't you think this volcano looks like The Matterhorn?
Maybe we should put a roller coaster around it & have the lava spill out onto the people??
maybe not
and maybe that would fit in with the cream of chicken title. Considering the people on the roller coasters...
are getting creamed with lava?
oh boy I let my sick sense of humor shine through- sorry ;)

extreme mother fear. why I haven't been blogging

It's been a rough month here in our home.
Three weeks ago Hailey started having what we call "episodes." She, we & her doctors are not sure if she is having seizures or panic attacks- or frankly, both.
They come, nearly
every
day.
usually- at school.
just what every 16 year old sophomore dreams of.... (that was sarcasm)
she cannot drive anymore
she does not sleep well
she seems fine & is cheerful & tries really hard to not seem scared.
maybe she's not scared.
but I am
Last week - Friday morning-
she & I went to Primary Children's hospital in SLC to have an MRI & an EEG.
the results- just as I had been prompted-
normal
relief- no tumors.
but fear
now what?
we don't know why?
she doesn't know why?
she just doesn't want them to come anymore.
Today brett got an email from a dear friend whose daughter has cancer.
The told him today that she is terminal, take her home & keep her comfortable.
She is just older than Megan- early 20's.
I can't help it. I feel so sad for them but so relieved that is not us.
how can this be happening to anyone so young?
hailey is currently in the cast of her H.S. production of CATS
I have been making a cat costume.
Cat costumes are not fun to make- neither are cat wigs.
But it is done- she doesn't want to quit.
I can't blame her.
she has worked so hard.
Opening night
this
friday
Brett & I take turns going to rehearsals in case
it happens.
tonight was brett's turn
and it
did happen.
Why am I telling you this?
I just thought you might want to know why I'm not blogging.
maybe getting it off my chest (with her permission) will help me to cope.
But what can I do to help her more?
We are asking our friends & family to please fast for her this Sunday March 7th.
I believe in the power of prayer.
We would appreciate some of that too.

So- keep us in your prayers.
please fast if you can

~patsy