Michael was ready.

This is the day that we know will come from birth. The day we turn our son over to the Savior to become a disciple of Jesus Christ to share the gospel with others. This is the day that we want to come and pray for that our son will choose to serve as a missionary. This is the day that joy and sadness all mingle together to become one emotion. An emotion that only parent's who have experienced it can fully understand. An emotion that we want to experience. We are grateful Michael chose to serve as a Missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is ready to go to the Independence Missouri Mission. This is his journey to the MTC...

We left Monday morning after Michael finished packing. Driving all Day To Salt Lake and arriving about 9:45 pm. Michael was anxious to get there before 10:30 because he was living missionary rules already and he needed to be in bed by then. Larry was starting to feel sick. He got worse as the trip wore on and he realized he had the flu. It was not a pleasant drive for him or us for that matter. I won't go into details:) He was still under the weather Tuesday morning so Jeff, Michael and Andrew gave him a blessing. While he continued to get some rest, Larry's sister, her husband Jeff, son Andrew, Michael and I went to the Salt Lake Temple. Isn't it beautiful?

We had to get some pictures when we were through. We sure missed Larry being there with us. It was so nice that Brenda, Jeff and Andrew came to spend the day with Michael. Jeff scooted over so I could put Larry in the picture, which as you can see I haven't done "yet".

I thought I'd try and get in one more kiss. He didn't want anything to do with it. LOL.

This is Andrew and Michael who are both going to be on missions for the next two years. Andrew starts next month and will serve in the North Carolina mission.

Larry started feeling better by late afternoon so he decided to venture out and join us. We went to the Joseph Smith movie in the Joseph Smith building. I had seen it before and loved it but watching it on the huge screen was so powerful. Watching it also knowing that Michael will be serving in the heart of where a lot of the church history was made it even that much more powerful.

Doesn't he look good and happy?

We got there early to walk around before Michael's time to check in. Michael found out that he didn't have to wait until his appointed time and that he could check in early. He said "great". He said he was ready to start and he just needed to get rid of us. LOL. So we went to get his bags and he checked them in and the process began.

He was learning some important things here like which card was his meal ticket. :)

I had the privilege of attaching Michael's missionary name tag onto his suit. What an honor that was for me. I tried really hard not to cry and I think I did OK.

I like how the statue of the Savior is pointing to Michael like it is saying "Here is my son who is now ready to go forth and preach My gospel".

Ok this is the last picture before we head down to the assembly room where we sing Called to Serve, hear a couple of short talks by the MTC Mission President and his wife, watch part of the video "Called to Serve" and then as the MTC Mission President said "Saying goodbye here is like pulling off a band aid. Quicker is less painful". Michael didn't shed any tears. I shed a few but actually held it together pretty good. Watching Michael and how ready he was made it easier for me to let go. Larry told him we'll go out our door and wait for you to come out your door and we'll wave to you. We waited, Larry waved but Michael didn't look back. He was ready to go forward. The Savior as in this picture is behind us and will watch over Michael for us.

Please keep him in your prayers. Write him, send him pictures, goodies with no nuts and let him know that he has support from all of us. One of his biggest concerns was that all his nieces
 and nephews would forget him in these next two years. I assured him that won't be the case. Right? Right!

Michael's "farewell" weekend

I knew this weekend would eventually come. The last weekend before Michael went on his mission. How much could Michael cram into this last weekend at home balancing between friends and family? I know he didn't get much sleep... I captured a few of the things Michael did with the family.
Michael has been wanting Nathan to show him some Karate things he learned. It was fun to watch them.

Nathan wasn't afraid to go after the bigger guy. lol

I've been cooking some of Michael's favorite foods but one of the things he wanted to eat before he left was Sweet Basil Pizza. I don't blame him it is really yummy!

Michael wasn't the only one who wanted pizza.

Misty (playing the piano), Larry, Joshua, Michael, April and Nathan singing with Parker (one of our seminary students) playing the violin. They were practicing to sing How Great Thou Art. They did a beautiful job! At first it was only going to be three men singing but Nathan and April wanted to join them. We are glad they did they added so much. I believe their wasn't a dry eye in the chapel when they performed it in the ward.

We had a Tri Stake Young Adult activity in Walla Walla that night that of course Michael couldn't miss. Misty, Clara, Rachel, Mae and I went to crash the Ice Skating part. Misty and Rachel put on skates to do some skating with Michael and Mae got a ride around the rink a couple of times with Michael. I don't have a picture of it (Misty does) but actually their were 5 cousins there skating. Matthew and his mom came into town for Michael's farewell and Chantal was there.

I just had to put this picture in, Rachel and Mae had to get in one more annoying wake up for Michael. Old habits are hard to break.

Michael isn't going to be here for Christmathanks next week so Misty and David gave him his present early. A cd player with speakers. He liked it and it will get much use I'm sure.

Michael's talk in Sacrament meeting was really good. He talked on prayer and used lots of scriptures, some personal examples, testimony and tears. The Spirit was definately there.
This is the family that came to see him set apart as a missionary and listen to his talk. We sure are grateful they were their to share this time with us. We missed those who wanted to be here but couldn't come.

Michael crammed much more into this weekend than what I blogged. But after this weekend he was ready to go.

Linda's Black Bean Salsa

I received a Salsa recipe that I made several changes to for our families preference of taste. This has gotten rave reviews whenever I serve it and the recipe is requested often. I made it yesterday so I thought I'd take a picture and share the recipe with you.

Linda's Black Bean Salsa

2 Cans of Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1 Can Whole Kernal Corn, drained
2- 10 ounce- cans Diced Green Chilis and Tomatoes
1 medium Red Onion, chopped
Cilantro, chopped, to taste (I use a whole bunch)
1 Jalopeno, seeded and minced fine
6-8 Tbl Olive Oil
2-3 Tbl Fresh Lime juice
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl let chill in fridge to distrubute flavors throughout,about 2 hours. Serve with Chips.
I actually do serve this right after I make it quite often, I don't always wait but the flavors do blend if you wait a little while.

Mae and Michael's birthday weekend

Once again we headed off to Spokane to celebrate Mae's 1st birthday. Michael's 19th birthday was also that weekend so we celebrated it too. It was another fun filled busy weekend in Spokane.

Before we left town though we got to see Jovie, Jessica and her friend in their costumes. Aren't they adorable!

I woke Michael up with breakfast in bed. He didn't look this happy when I first woke him up. LOL

Off we went to Salon Nouveau where Rachel is a terrific hairstylist. Michael was getting his missionary haircut. His hair grows so fast he'll need a trim before he leaves. Thank you Rachel!

Since Mae's party was in the evening when Rach got off work we celebrated Michael's birthday earlier in the day. David, Nathan, Larry, Michael and Matt played a fun and fast paced game of lazor tag. The first game Matt won and Nathan came in second, the 5 were the only ones playing. Michael wanted a rematch so after lunch they went to play again and that time Larry won and Michael came in second out of 31 players. Nathan came in 11th out of 31 players. Pretty awesome!

Lunch was at Red Robin. Matt and Michael I believe had 6 glasses of Strawberry Lemonade each. It was bottomless alright. They were full. We were so happy Misty's family could come and celebrate with us.

In the afternoon between Michael's party and Mae's party Misty, Aria, Gabe and I canned 6 quarts of applesauce. Misty wanted to learn how. I asked her if she learned anything and she said "Yes,buy it in the store". LOL. You can't beat free organic apples though:)
Mae's party was nice. She had almost all of her favorite people there. Of course she couldn't have cake (cake is a four letter word for her momma) for her birthday so she had pumpkin pie. Her momma made 4 big pies and little pies for the kids. They were yummy. Mae was getting into her pie. Gabe too.

After her first gift and realizing after her momma took it away and she got another one she was enjoying opening up her gifts. It was cute and I enjoyed watching her. She loved the gifts her Papa J and I gave her. That was exciting for me.

Mae and Clara sharing one of Mae's gifts, or are they? It's going to be fun watching these 3 little girl cousins growing up together. I sure love ALL my grand kids.

Mae shared a portion of her party with Michael as he got to blow out candles on a pie and open a gift. Misty spearheaded an awesome gift for Michael that all his siblings went in on. A camera for his mission:) Yeah! He loves it.

Thanks Misty!

Happy birthday to Mae and Happy Birthday to Michael!