Happy Birthday! (And a 2 year life change for Jake)

Happy birthday to Mike!  52.  Allie thought it was cool that he was 52 and his car is a '52 Chevy so she wanted to decorate the cake.  She did a good job with it even if I don't have a real picture.  She made a 52 out of m&m's.  It was delicious.

 It think it was a good day for Mike.  It was Stake Conference, and we had a meeting super early in the morning, so we went together in the Bronco.  It's always a fun ride with the top off.

The meeting wasn't bad at all and the talks were pretty good. 

We came home and had some breakfast.

Allie and I had a meeting at noon so we were there when we got the text that they wanted to set Jake apart at 1.  We left the meeting early and got home to be ready for it.  The Stake President came over and we talked a bit and then he and Mike laid their hands on Jake, gave him a blessing, and the next thing you know, we have a missionary.  So crazy.  Allie and I talked about how weird it is that with just a few words, your whole life can change.

Speaking of the prayer where Jake's life changed...seconds after the "amen", Nate pulled out a molar.  He had been wiggling it through the prayer and it popped out just after it was over.  I guess that tooth was ready to come out and it was a bit of a comic relief too.  

After things quieted down again and we said goodbye to the Stake President, Jake cleared off his phone and turned it off for the last time.  

Then we went up the canyon and had a little walk.  

Jake doesn't get a name tag until he gets to the MTC in the Philippines so Mike got out his old name tag and had him put that on.

The boys were going a bit wild and decided they needed to take a dip in the river.

The dip turned into a swim.

...and a flexing contest...

                                       

                                                   

I had to laugh at Jason because he flexes like my dad.  I'll have to look for a picture, but my dad could suck his gut way in and flex until he looked pretty buff.  :)

I don't have any pics of Charlie or Allie, but both were there too.  Charlie was doing his best to muddy up his paws so he could ensure an uncomfortable ride home.

It started raining on us as we drove home in the Bronco.  We got to see a beautiful sunset though and we were all very happy to be together.

I think Mike had a great birthday.  Not too many times does it happen that you get to help set your son apart as a missionary on your birthday.  Tomorrow will come fast...we'll cherish one more night as a family at home.

First Day

First day of school!

As much as it's hard to start a new school year, I think it's always exciting to have a fresh start.

Nathan was the first out the door this morning.  He is headed out to 7th grade. He's looking forward to playing the cello in orchestra.

The bus comes pretty early so we're carpooling with a neighbor girl.

Allie headed out next.  She's off to her Junior year.

She had to wear her cheer uniform to school but then change at school.  I don't have a picture of her in her real first day of school outfit, so this will have to do.

She is most looking forward to cheering.  School will be hard this year with lots of challenging core classes and some college credit classes.  She'll also be taking the ACT so she's nervous, but I know she'll do well.  She has been able to perform under pressure all her life at school, and high school in particular, so I am confident that she'll do great. 

As for cheer, she's been so fun to watch!  She can do flips that she never thought possible a few years ago.  Cheer is going to be fun for her.  

 

Jason is headed to 5th grade.  He was a little nervous about going to elementary school for the first time without his buddy Nate.  They may fight like crazy, but they are good buddies and will miss each other.

I thought it was sweet that when Nathan and I said a prayer before school, he included Jason in his prayer and prayed that he'd be ok at school without him.  Jason wasn't even awake yet, so when he said his prayer a little later, I thought it was so cute that he prayed for Nate.  He prayed that he'd have a good time in Orchestra and that he'd be able to open his locker up ok.  

They're so lucky to have each other.  I love it.

The bus stop seems small this year.

The bus driver and I had a laugh when she said she'd miss Nathan running to the bus every morning.  I told her she'd be on time for her route because she wouldn't have to wait for the kid to grab his shoes and back pack and run after her barefoot with his coat dangling from his arm.  :)

 It will be a great school year.  I am so excited for the things they will learn and the friends they will make.  They are great kids and I am happy for them.  Life is good!  Even at school.

It Came!

I woke up this morning to a phone call from Salt Lake.  I recognized the number as the lady that has been helping me with Jake's travel info.  She called to tell me that they don't have a Cebuano program in the Provo MTC so Jake will have to be delayed for 3 weeks.  I was so sad.  I started asking more questions.  I asked if it was because of Visa issues, or purely the passport.  She said that they get their Visa while staying at the MTC, so it was just the passport issue.  I told her that I was so bummed because I just got an email the night before saying that he was approved for the passport and it will be here by Saturday.  She said "Oh, you got an approval?"  I said that we did and that there was a confirmation number that said he'd have it by Saturday at the latest.  She said "well that changes things.  If there's a confirmation number, then I feel safe in getting him a ticket.  The church wants to be wise about buying plane tickets and we can't just buy tickets and hope that passports will be there in time, but if he has an approval, that changes things."

I was so happy for him.  I hung up the phone and checked the status again and it said it would be here by noon today!

I woke Jake up and told him the news and then we got serious about packing.  With a for sure end date in mind, I could move forward.

Jake went out the mow the lawn and I heard a knock at the door...

 It came!  Such a relief.  As much as I want the cute boy to stick around, three weeks is too long.  He's already quit his job and said final goodbyes to people.  We need to just rip the band aid off.  

Rolling in the Dough

This boy Jake is cracking me up lately.  

We've been cleaning up his room and getting some last minute things ready for him and as we've been cleaning, we've been coming up with cash. I found a $100 bill in between the bed frame and the wall.  He had little piles everywhere.  So, he started stacking it all in one place and gathering it up.  Mike has been planning to take him to the bank to make a CD with his money so it can be earning interest while he's gone and today was the day.  Mike was out in the truck and called Jake to have him come.  Jake came up the stairs looking like this...

                                                

                                     

Mike was waiting, but I made Jake stop for a picture.  I laughed as I pictured him walking into the bank with that load of cash.  

It looks like it's a bunch of 1's, but when they got to the bank, I got this text from Mike...

"$2100! A lot of money under the bed...he doesn't spend it"

It's true.  Jake is pretty simple and is happy with minimal amounts of clothes and stuff.  I would say his biggest expense in life is Sinclair.  He gets a lot of chicken there.  :)

Family Pictures

On my list of things to do before Jake left, "family pics" was up at the top.  

I have never been one to find outfits to match and look good together, and this time was no different.  We got home from church and knew today had to be the day or we might not get another chance.  

I told Allie to pick an outfit she liked, the boys each had a new shirt for school and they happened to match, so they wore them.  Jake's closet was the worst.  He has all sorts of new church clothes, and tons of Sky View apparel, but nothing he could use for family pics.  We've all lamented that he is wearing the same outfit he wore in the pics that are hanging in the house right now, but what do you do. 

Our neighbor came to take our pics and things seemed to work out ok.  The boys were annoying and Charlie was a bit distracted, but we were able to get some great pictures.  I love the colors and it feels like a tender mercy to have great pictures now that it will be two years before our family is complete again.  

                                                     

                                                     

I love this family of mine.  They are pretty awesome.  These are some of the cutest faces I've ever seen too.  I love them forever!