Our Missionary

Here is our missionary at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, Utah. He will be here for 2 months learning how to be a missionary and learning Spanish. Then off to San Jose, California.

The drop off at the MTC

Nick with Bishop Delorey

Nick having lunch with Bishop Delorey and sons Chuck and Mark.

Nick again with Chuck and Elder Tellington.

I had wanted to take Nick out to the MTC as a family. He asked that we not. I debated for a long time what to do. Nick finally told Matt that he thought us taking him there would just prolong the agony of good-bye and he wanted to be able to enter the MTC composed and ready, not a bawling idiot. It was really hard for me to say ok but I did even though I was really never comfortable with the decision. I know Nick and know that he would have a hard time and would benefit from having someone with him. It was agonizing for me but I said ok. About 6 weeks before he was going to leave I was sitting in Relief Society and the bishop's wife (good friends of ours) asked what day exactly was Nick leaving. As it turns out, she and the bishop were going out to Utah the very same day on business and to visit family. Bishop changed his schedule so he could be on the very same flight with Nick at 0600 instead of later in the day with his lovely wife. Once in Utah they picked up 2 of the bishop's sons and headed for lunch - getting some great BBQ down before the dreaded MTC food became Nick's only option. While they were out to lunch Elder (Chris) Tellington called us on our cell phone hoping to hook up with us while there. When we told him we stayed home and the bishop took him out he made plans to head Nick off at the drop off point to greet him. Chris gave Nick a hug and one last good-bye from me. Although the day was bittersweet I could not deny the hand the Heavenly Father had in the way it worked out. Nick was escorted to the MTC by someone who cared as much as we as his parents did that he was there, someone who loved him and supported him but at the same time someone who could take him out to lunch, give him a hug and send him on his way without Nick feeling too terribly emotional. I know it didn't mean much to anyone else but to me it was truly a miracle.

Airport Goodbyes

Nick wanted just Matt and I to take him to the airport as he thought it would be too hard to say good-bye to us and the girls in the same day.  His flight was at 0600 this am.  It was hard to put a smile on my face.  I am proud of him and the sacrifice he is willing to make.  I know it is the right thing.  At the same time my heart is already breaking from how much I will miss his amazing spirit in our home.  I struggled not to cry... I had so much to say but couldn't get out a word as I knew if I opened my mouth I would not be able to hold back the tears anymore...  I love this young man with all my heart and will miss him more than I can express in words.

Packing up Nick

We spent most of the day before Nick left packing and getting him ready. The girls did get him to stop to watch a Barbie movie which I am sure will be the highlight of Nick's memory of his last day at home. Andi and Brooke were able to come and spend the day with us as well. That evening we drove to the stake center in a horrible snow storm to have Nick set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by the stake president, President Bonner. It was a day of great joy but at the same time filled with a little sadness too. We all know this is the right thing - without any shadow of doubt but that doesn't necessarily make it easy to do.

Brooke turns 2!

I can harldly believe how the time has flown. One would think I would learn by now what a thief time is but it still blows me away sometimes. We are so blessed to have this little girl in our lives. Being grandparents is truly one of the choicest blessings and this little one makes it as rich an experience as possible. She is still one of the most beautiful girls in the whole world to me. We love having her so close to us and being able to see her so regularly. Two is proving to be exactly what one would expect at two. She is learning and growing and we love watching her do so each chance we get.

Temple Trip

Matt, myself, Andi and Nick went to the temple together the first day we had a chance before Nick left. It was most memorable. We didn't get pictures of when Nick went for himself a few weeks earlier but to say that it was one of the most peaceful feelings I have ever had would not even be close to adequately decribing the two days in the temple with my oldest children.

Nick's Farewell

We had a small gathering of Matt's family for Nick's farewell as my family had spent the weekend at the waterpark as our last moments with Nick. We mostly just hung out, ate great food and talked. We did take the opportunity to celebrate Brooke's b-day with extended family as it is only a few days away. Nick spent a lot of time torturing his cousins with tickling and wrestling. They all wanted to get in as much as possible as this is always something they really look forward to and will miss a great deal.

Wilderness Resort

We went to the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells for a little get away as a family before Nick left. Uncle Judd and Nanny Jen, Grandma Gretchen, Andi, Jimmy and Brooke, our family and Kelsey. It was a great weekend. Lots of relaxing, playing games, swimming, sitting by the pool. It was good to get away from the "normal" routine and just focus on enjoying one another's company. Good memories stored.

Nick's 21rst Birthday

His own cherry pie, corned beef, carrots, new potatoes, soda bread were amongst the items Nick requested for his last birthday at home for two years.  He said if I kept saying that people would think he was on death row or something.  Since corned beef is his favorite, Nick did find a way to trick me into making it twice in one week.  I didn't even realize it until it was already cooking and too late to go back.

The Girls and Grandma Gretchen

All three girls just love spending time with Grandma Gretchen. The only problem we ever have is when I get to spend time with her as they usually steal her away the very second she walks in the door.

Playing in the Snow is so FUN

The best time to play in the snow is when it is fresh and Daddy is shoveling as he piles it on top of us!

Update #2

After reading my blog Andi discovered a very important update that I missed.  Andrea, Jimmy and Brooklyn bought their own house and moved out of our basement in July 09.  They live about 1/2 hour a way.  It is nice to have them so close and they have made their house so cute - it fits them perfectly.

Christmas morning

We were home again on Christmas morning this year.  It was really nice to have the whole day together to open presents and then actually have a chance to play with them.  Nick thought the girls start time of 7-7:30 am was much too early and took most of the am to wake up completely.  Elizabeth and Cierra both were excited to get American Dolls - Kirsten and Addy (respectively).  Rylee was just happy.  Their favorite present however, hands down, was a homemade blanket from Nick.  He made them huge fleece blankets to wrap themselved in and to help comfort them while he is gone on his mission.  They didn't let them out of their sight for the first 3 days and still now they are never far behind. 

Christmas with family

Grandma & Grandpa

Jimmy and Brooklyn

Matt and James

many of the cousins

Uncle Greg, Nick, Dana & Rylee

Elizabeth

Grandma Gretchen, Uncle Judd and Nanny Jen

As it turned out we had 3 Christmases at our house this year. The first with was my family, then Matt's and then our own. Could not feel more blessed. A great time with all.
I don't have the greatest pics but am trying to stay up on the blog so until I get with Andrea and raid her camera it is what it is.

I haven't blogged in 6 months - last 6 in a nutshell

Ok I am sorry for dropping off the face of the blogging planet. My life has been well - crazy. I would love for you to go back through and read everything but just in case you don't have a 1/2 hour to do so here are the highlights.

• We found out in late July/early August that we are pregnant with baby #6. Yes we thought we were done, yes we are too old, yes it is another girl, no not disappointed, no not a surprise actually took a year to get here. Due April 24, 2010. I was sick for the first 21 weeks and have psiatic nerve issues along with low, low energy. I am not complaining as I know this is a true blessing - however, it has prevented me from blogging, scrapping, socializing in all forms - basically anything that is not basic.
• Andrea is actually also pregnant with our second grandchild, due June 2010. We are 9 weeks apart. Yes it is kind of weird, yes we are sharing maternity clothes, no not the way either of us planned it but are enjoying this adventure in life together.
• Nicholas is going on a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Feb 2010. He will be serving in the San Jose, CA spanish speaking mission. We are excited yet at the same time are struggling with how much we will miss him. I did get a family picture a month ago (view Oct posts) even though I know in April it will no longer have all my children in it .... it is the best I can do. Who would have ever thought I would have a son on a mission, a daughter pregnant and one in the oven myself - not exactly the way I had things pictured but the way they are none-the-less.
• Matt is teaching at a Technical College 30-40 minutes away one night a week - law enforcement classes.
• Elizabeth, Cierra, and Rylee are doing well - see many pictures and updates below.

The Christmas Spirit

The Christmas Spirit

Sledding Fun

Matt, Nick, Elizabeth, Cierra, Uncle Judd & Nanny Jen and Grandma Gretchen all went sledding together.  Rylee was sick with a fever so she and I stayed home as it was pretty frigid outdoors.  There was no new snow so the hill was a little slick with ice but fun none the less.