the Mission Call - from the Inside

We've been talking about Stephen's mission since he was tiny.  He's always been such a good kid!  And he's never said anything but that he can't wait to go on a mission.  Those were conversations about the future.  When he's grown a foot or two... (reference to a primary song).

 It was this picture, I remember the moment exactly... something in my heart just swallowed him up.

 Now it's here.  We've been working on papers for the last 3 months.  It's been really hard to wait for other people.  Bishops, doctors, mailmen...I don't wait well.  But we did and it finally came.  It was a busy weekend so we didn't' have a whole lot of time to worry about it.

Let me back up about two weeks ago. (roughly)  I'm driving along and suddenly....tears.  My baby.  I'm doing laundry...tears.  My baby.  Yes, the thought of not seeing him for two years makes my heart ache, but the tears were coming more in thoughts of my BABY is a man.  He's grown.  No, he's not perfect and yes he makes me absolutely crazy sometimes, but he's really an amazing person and will make a fantastic husband someday.  This baby bird is about to fly the nest.  My nest!  I've always dreaded this day.  He treats me like a Queen.  He calls me mama and is never lacking in the hugs department.  He does anything I ask him to (for me).  He comes around when we have to have the brain dead talk and realizes where he's at.  He tells me he loves me regularly and is happy to spend time with me.  He'll carry my purse for me, shop with me...whatever.  I just really love who he is.



Sunday morning came around and so did the waterworks.  I had no idea they were coming.  Sacrament meeting started and as I looked up at him preparing to bless the sacrament, I lost it.  Done.  I cried through the entire thing.  Not just tear up, but the kind of "start to make funny faces" crying.  I tried to keep my head down and my sniffling to a minimum, but it wasn't enough.  Katy started peppering me with questions as to why I was crying, Glade was shooting me "whats up" looks and I have no idea what all the people on the stand right in front of me must have been thinking.

Once the talks started, I was able to collect myself.  Focus on something else.  Until the musical number came around.  Which, by the way, was the song we were going to do at Stephen's farewell.  It's my favorite...My Kindness Shall Not Depart from Thee.  Though I started out bummed that she was singing it, by about the second line...the tears were back.  I was a mess by the end of the meeting.  Then it's the long walk down the hall way as people see your red eyes and ask if you are ok, or worse, give you the "aww, poor thing"  look.  I talked to a few people, but luckily..I was put in primary for the day, so that's enough for anyone to forget your worries!

The rest of the day was fine and I only teared up a little talking to some of the family, but I was pretty sure I was good now.  I got it out of my system.  The house filled with people, it was exciting!  Stephen wasted no time getting things going.  Even as he was saying the words, I was fine.  Until.....June 4.  JUNE 4.  JUNE 4???  I'm not ready, I can't do it...it's too soon!  I was supposed to have the whole summer.  I even had a little plan formulating for a trip with just the two of us.  This is 6 days after graduation!  May is the busiest month of the whole year for us. Not the month where you can spend quality time bonding and making memories.  He has just been ripped from my arms with no warning!  I hugged him and I cried.

Up until this point, I had kept my frequent crying to myself.  Now I'm surrounded by friends and family congratulating me and I'm broken hearted about my baby leaving in a month.  I want him to go, I LOVE that he's going...I just never dreamed it would be so soon.  I cried quite a bit that night.  And the next day and the one after that.  Several times a day actually.  I'm pretty sure if anyone even mentions it, or I read about anything mission related, I cry.  I don't know when it will get easier.  He hasn't even left yet for goodness sake!  I love that I have so many people around me going through the same thing and they are all fine, so I'm sure I will get past this.  But for now....I'm just a Mom saying goodbye to a boy I happen to really like and who I'm so proud of.  For real, I'm SO happy about his choices and what he'll do these next 2 years...I am. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is True!  It has changed and blessed my life to a degree that words would not do justice.  Stephen knows it just as I know it and he is willing to give of himself that others may experience the same joy we have.  How I love him for that!  But it's just a little rough right now....so this may be what  you see for the next while

Don't be alarmed...it's all good ♥

the Mission Call - From the Outside

It came!  After a very long process of waiting and waiting, it was finally in the mailbox...on Friday.  The significance of that, is that everyone else's calls came on Thursday.  Stephen's was sent in the same day as his friends, and that boy's call came the week before.  Now it had been a whole nother week and nothing.  Killer I tell ya.  Then it came on Friday.  We had already made a plan to have everyone over that Sunday to open it.  So it just sat on the counter.  I'm not gonna lie, we all tipped it.. held it up to the light... hefted it to see if it felt "thick".  They really make those things sneak proof!

Sunday came and the day was long.  We had family dinner at 5, then invited close friends and classmates to come at 7.  I'm not sure what I expected, but there were A LOT of people here!  It was really fun to see so many people come to support him.  Not too much after seven, Stephen stepped up on the fireplace for the big moment.  

It was awesome!  Elder Smith....Hawaii Honolulu Mission!  There was much screaming and a few tears.  He is to report June 4.  June 4?  Um, that's six days after graduation.  Less than 5 weeks from now.  That's when I lost it.  We all hugged and smiled and cried.  I loved having so many of the people I love the most there to give me reassurance and support.  

I did not realize what the outside looked like till I saw these pictures.  Cars were parked down the street both directions

We all guessed where he would go

drumroll please.....

Watch the smile get bigger as he reads "Hawaii"

and then the tears....

My baby boy

the girlfriend

the group

gotta tell someone!!

Bo and Gramma B

I hope I'm not betraying any confidences here, but it was too cute not to share.  Bo was home sick from school and staying with my mom.  She let him get on the computer and play Words with Friends with my Gramma Bea.  Here's their chat:

4/24, 6:40pm

Bo;sorry if im not that good its bo

Gma;well hi long time no play with you and im certainly not good so well do fine

Bo: haha i am sick so my mom let me stay away from school

Gma: well darn hurry and get well no fun being sick

Bo: i know imiss all my friends

Gma: and Im sure they miss you

Bo: yea but what i dont miss is the boring lessons that i have to sit through

Gma; oh but they make you so smart

Bo: but i already am smart and all my math lessons are easy and ive practicly already learned i really dont like school because i could sit on the couch all day and watch t.v.

Gma: NOTTA that would not be a good thing at all

Bo: i could play the computer which is an excersize for my fingers

Gma: well but all the rest of your body needs exercise also or you would grow up to be a wimp not good

Bo: well i only get thirty mins (i sneak on it for an hour) and then i go to jump on the tramp or something

Gma: that sounds like a good thing to do and your out side while your doing that which is great for you also Bo: did you not realize the sneak on the computer for an hour part

Gma: yes I did but I tryed to ignore that remark lol Bo: well the computer is so much fun and i only play minecraft and nothing else unless the internet is unlocked

Gma: yes I know it is fun and I love it too but believe me I would gladly give it up if I were able to be out side for all most any reason and expecually fishing if I could

Bo: yeah i like fishing to but i can only do it when i go camping where i dont have electronics i can only go fishing when i dont have electronics

Gma: lol Bo: i mean i can only go fishing when im camping

Gma: I like camping but I dont know when I did that last it's been a long time ago Bo: yeah and we dont get to go to california this year because our camper broke

Gma: oh my but you did get the package so you can go bowling and a lot of other stuff so that should be fun Bo: we did get pogo passes so we can go bowling and other stuff, i have a birth day party tomorrow and i hope i will be better because its for my friend that i like never get to see

Gma: well I will say a prayer for you hoping you will be all well. Bo: thxjust so you know thx means thanks

Gma: yep I did know that Bo: well thats cause your like 84 years old

Gma: lol is that the reason or could it be because im on fase book

Bo: yes and why do you still say lol that is so like 50000000000 years ago

Gma: ans so whats hep now Bo: it is just so boring why dont you say funny or halarious

Gma: ok by golley I will put that in my book Bo: what book

Gma: oh thats just another saying thats 5000 years old,if something came up that was funny or something one would say you can put that in your book
Bo: again i say what book
Gma: i cant figure out what to place cause you took all of the places

Bo: good bye i have to go to play practice

Pogo Pass

 Since we are not really having a summer vacation this year, I bought Pogo Passes for everyone.  It's 39.99 per person and is good for a year.  You get all sorts of free admission to places in the valley.  Jumpstreet, bowling, rock climbing, paintball, Dbacks games, Sunsplash, lasar tag, comedy club, zoo, aquarium, museum, etc.

So we jumped right in with a day of bowling.  Let me tell ya...that was FUN!  Now there's just a smidge of sarcasm there.  It really was fun.  However, bowling with that many people is just long.  Now add in the tears and pouting and it was a blast!  Bo started out doing really good, jumping and smiling... it was then I reminded him that it was for fun and even if he doesn't continue to do that well, he needs to stay happy.  He cheerfully says "I know!"  Not two frames later he's pouting and sitting under the table.  And THAT was how it was for the entire rest of the time.  Dalin, who couldn't seem to keep it out of the gutter, cried right along with him.  Even if he happened to get a good one now and then, he refused to smile.  Just slumpy shoulders and tears.  Brooklyn also couldn't keep it out of the gutter, but didn't seem to give a hoot.  Rhett, of course, whipped it down there like a pro.

Two games was definitely too much for this group.  BUT... Mom, Chelsey and I decided this would be an awesome thing for the three of us to do while the kids were in school!

Saturday night we did date night with the Johnsons ( who also have the passes ) and went to a comedy club.  What's awesome about this club is that it's 100% clean.  There may have been more kids there than adults. (pogo pass users for sure).  It's improv and not always super funny, but still good.  We really enjoyed it and will go back again.  Probably even bring the kids a time or two.  All for FREE!  

Stay tuned for more pogo pass fun this summer!!

Another official Driver

This was not the face he was wearing a week ago when he failed his first attempt at a driver's license.  An incomplete stop, not looking over his shoulder and a late blinker kept him from scoring the license.  We went back exactly a week later.  Nothing in my life can be too simple.  Luckily, Tuesday at 9 am seems to be a pretty good time to go.  We walked right in, handed them the paper and ten minutes later they were telling him to go get in his car.  We went outside to wait on the curb.  Wait is exactly what we did.  He sat waiting for his turn for almost 30 minutes.  I'm pretty sure I get as nervous as they do.  But finally it was time.  And he passed!  Here's where it gets tricky.  We went inside, handed them the papers and sat down to wait for the printed card.  Not 5 minutes later, they made an announcement that their entire system was down and there could be no transactions completed.  Surely that didn't apply to something so simple as printing a card!  Oh, but it did.  She handed us the paperwork and simply said "you'll have to come back another day for us to print the card".  What?!?!  He's already missed two days of school.  (the government is awesome like that, their hours are the same as when kids are in school)  So we left.

I needed some work on my van so we dropped it off, and went to lunch.  Rhett stayed at the house to work on his homework.  About 2 and a half hours later, we called and they had just come back online.  We rushed over, got right to the desk and were out of there in less than 15 minutes.  I honestly don't know when I could have had the energy to bring him back again.  The DMV exhausts me.  I'm free from that place for another year....  then there's Brooklyn....

Holy 12 Months

As I lay exhausted, trying to go to sleep, wondering when life would slow down, I reflected over the last year.  Holy Moly!!  We had a doozy of a last 12 months.  Here are just the BIG things that happened in roughly the last 12 motnhs: 

a Baptism

a Grandbaby

a wedding

a prison sentence

a new driver and dater

the start of a new home

a new temple and all the celebration and activities that brought

a high school graduate and new missionary

I'm thinking it's time this crazy bunch take break from big events and have an uneventful next year.  No wonder my hair is turning gray!!