notes on this month...

* This has been a big/crazy month for our family
* The musical- Chloe had a recital- jack's birthday- loads of doctors appt. and tests- company- scouts- all the regular stuff like homework-
* The month.
* It's almost over.
* Which means, it's almost time for Jack to leave...
* I can't think about that right now
* he speaks in church (for the last time) on Sunday
* right afterward a large amount (near 100??) young adults & teens & family will show up at my house to visit with Jack, say goodbye, and ....
* eat lunch
* thank heavens I have so many sweet friends willing to help!
* we are having a sandwich bar- salads- and finger desserts with strawberry lemonade.
* with that many people in the house,
* do you think they will notice if it's not perfectly clean?
* I don't do anything... PerFectly.
* another big weekend

creative day

the blogger mom's creative days

are alive & strong.

Last week we even had a guest -

Wende's SIL April

We were meeting at my house, she came & made us these:

Glazed Cheese Croissants

Not a great picture... but they are so good!

I LOVed them... mmmm

So Good that they were published in Martha's Everyday Food!

where there is a professional picture & the recipe

There is also a surprise ingredient...

Check out the recipe here.

Our day consists of important discussion...

I don't know what we are talking about in this picture but it cracks me up.

Most of the time -we have projects we are working on. All of the time - we eat lunch.

It's therapeutic.

It's the funnest day of the week.

Not everyone can always come...

we are a busy bunch of moms you know!

Janae has been missing through the RSV season.

But look who showed up yesterday!

(sorry about the shadow of the light on your face kristy!?)

Somehow I didn't get a picture of janae-

she looks great

BUT--- look at this guy!!

Oh boy, he is an absolute doll.

Non of us are or have been sick for a while so we got a little peek at the guy.

I can't wait for the winter yuck to be over so we can have him around all the time!

a birthday bear day with jack

Yesterday was Jack's 19th birthday...

what in the world??

these rotten kids keep growing on me...

Anyhow- we went to lunch jack, his dad & I at Apollo Burger- jack's choice.

Jack had the "Apollo" or pastrami burger & fries with root beer.

It's a good thing he's young.

Afterwards- jack & i went to build a bear to make his missionary bear.

Our time there went like this:
I would suggest something & jack would say
"You've gotta be kidding me"
or
"whoever started this store should be shot"


We picked out the closest thing we could find to a red head bear & started to work.


The hardest part was recording a phrase...
but we finally got one!
so funny
You'll have to come to my house to hear it.

The bear helper gave jack a heart & good luck shamrock

(since it was the day before St. Patrick's day) to put inside his bear.

But first...

he had to say a bunch of words-

kiss it,

wish it luck,

HOld it to his heart....

and all that good stuff- before she put it in.

He had her stuff it somewhere between to hard & to soft to make it

Just right.

Next we got him dressed.

In missionary attire!

Jack was so into it!

He was loving every moment & didn't want the time to end!!

WAH- LA

He filled out his

birth certificate & gave him a name

"Elder Jack Messer Bear"

then it was time to check out!

(bad picture... I'm really not this fat, i hope?)

Thanks for humoring me jack!

I love you

I hope someday you will be glad you made a missionary bear.

Even if your not, I'm glad you did!

When you are all married & grown your bear will sit next to brian's & your kids will love to play with them... I think?

Happy Birthday

xoxo

mom

jack- 19

today is jack's 19th birthday!

it's hard to believe my baby is so big...

1. Jack has a calming influence on me & on our household.

2. He is funny- so funny.

3. He is passionate about politics.

4. He is passionate about American History.

5. but... per his mother's advice... he has temporarily cut himself off from current events in order to be ready for his mission.

6. He is reluctantly going with me to Build a Bear today!!!

7. We are making a "missionary bear" with a voice message.

8. It will help trent....

9. and me- when we just miss him too darn much over the next two years.

10. NO I will not sleep with it- that's just creepy & wrong.

11. He has read the Book of Mormon three times since January 1st.

12. He has read many books & studied daily getting ready for the MTC- (missionary training center)

13. He is still waiting for a VISA.

14. He was such a happy baby-

15. He sucked his thumb until he was six-

16. and carried a blanket "baba" (so cute)

17. I miss those days... kind of

18. He was still a little scrapper & never missed a chance to punch or tease his older brother & sister.

19. I am going to miss this boy...!

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!