Mike turns 50 in Nauvoo

 For 2 years now I've been setting aside a little money each month knowing I wanted to surprise Mike with a fun trip for his 50th birthday.  I wasn't sure what it would be when I started saving, but at the beginning of this year I decided I wanted to take him to Nauvoo.  I knew Trace had promised Ann a vacation there for her 60th birthday that they hadn't taken yet, so when I asked them if they wanted to go with us, they quickly said yes.  We flew into Omaha on the evening of June 6th, then got up early the next day to attend the Winter Quarters temple.  It was a small, but very pretty temple.  We got a little lost and ended up changing in the baptismal dressing room before we figured out we needed to go up the stairs to the bigger, nicer dressing rooms where there were actually temple workers and other people. 

 There was a nice visitors center across the street where we spent a short time looking around and decided we would try and get back in time before we flew home on Monday to look around some more.

The bottom two pictures were taken on our drive across Iowa. 

 We got to add 3 new states to our list of states we've been to.

We stayed in these charming log cabins which were owned by actual pioneers and brought to this location and fixed up and modernized a little. It made the whole feel of our stay in Nauvoo seem more authentic. Mike and I stayed in the one on the left and Ann and Trace had the other one.  We didn't get there until about 7:30 so we just drove around checking out the beautiful city and had a late dinner.

 Saturday the 8th- Mike's birthday.  What a perfect, memorable way to spend it!  We went to the temple after breakfast and were blown away by how beautiful it is.  I absolutely loved every thing about it. The feel of it was so peaceful and spiritual.  I will never forget the feeling I had there.  The picture in the top left is the view from the front steps.  I can just imagine how the pioneers must have felt building that beautiful building and looking out on that sight as all their homes were down below and didn't give them that view of the river.

 We then drove 20 minutes to Carthage.  What a sobering, and serene setting.  The church has done a remarkable job of presenting all these places of history so well.  You almost feel like you were there on that fateful day. I love church history and although I feel like I know a lot (thank you Gerald  Lund) there was still a lot that I learned.  I love and revere the prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum and all the early saints.  They truly were saints.  They sacrificed so much and by all accounts, with a faithful and cheerful attitude.

We then drove back to Nauvoo to the LDS visitors center and attended a charming play put on by young men and women who are called on a 4 month mission to Nauvoo to perform.  After dinner we then went to a wonderful production in the outdoor theater called "Sunset on the Mississippi" (isn't it fitting that we happened to be down on the river when the sun set, therefore creating our own sunset on the Mississippi?) put on by the young missionaries and the senior missionaries.  It looks like a lot of fun to be a senior missionary there. After that production, we took a walk down by the river, then came back for another production- this time by the BYU folk dancers who were in town for a week performing.  It was very good.  The weather was perfect and it was so awesome to be enjoying all that we did in this beautiful city.

 Back "home" to blow out birthday candles, sing happy birthday, and open presents. Besides several cards with money in them from his mom, my mom, his Aunt, and Dad, he still had 2 gifts to open.  One from Ann and Trace- a small sun stone like the ones on the temple.  It's a cool reminder of how neat they look on the temple.  The other one is a lifetime keepsake that he was so surprised and touched by.  Jessica had spent the last several months gathering a memory- 50 of them to be exact- from his family and friends of a memory they have with Mike.  She collected them all and put them into a book that she had made for him with several pictures through the years.  It was so wonderful to read all the things people wrote and to know how much he's loved.  It really meant a lot to him.
 
  Sunday we went to an early sacrament meeting for all missionaries and visitors, then had breakfast and drove 10 minutes out to the pioneer cemetery.  It was the most peaceful and beautiful cemetery I've ever seen.  It was huge with headstones scattered throughout.  Trace found one of his ancestors- the one he was named after.

We then toured around Nauvoo and learned a lot from the knowledgeable senior missionaries.  It was delightful to talk with them and get answers to all of our questions. The building on the left is Joseph's red brick store which is owned by the Community of Christ Church (formerly RLDS) as well as the Nauvoo house on the bottom right.  That was the only one we couldn't tour the inside.  I loved looking at all these cool houses spread around a huge, beautiful little valley with lots of big trees and green grass.

We had to go through (and pay for) the Community of Christ visitors center to get tours of the Old Farmhouse, Mansion house and burial of Joseph, Emma and Hyrum. 

 We went back to the LDS visitors center and watched the movie "Joseph Smith- Prophet of the Restoration."  Wow- even though I've seen it before, to watch it in Nauvoo just made it seem all the more real.  I love the prophet Joseph and admire and revere him for all that he did.

 We had to cross the Mississippi into Iowa to eat dinner that night since all the restaurants in Nauvoo closed at 5:00, then we hurried back to attend a fireside at the church put on by the BYU folk dancers.  More Rook that night.

Monday we drove back to Omaha and spent over an hour touring the WQ visitors center and cemetery, then caught our 5:45 flight back home.  

I'm so grateful Mike and I could take this trip together and with our traveling companions Ann and Trace.  We had a wonderful time together and had some great conversations.  We're already talking about where we'll go next! 

May

Beware:  This is a long post. . . there are over 30 collages!
This has been a very difficult post to do.  I've been editing and putting all these pictures into collages over the weekend after we dropped Jake off at the MTC.  It's a killer to have to look at all the pictures of him and know that I won't see that handsome, smiling face for 2 years!  It's so depressing- BUT, I am so happy that he's chosen to serve a mission and am so proud of him for making this choice and doing something that is so hard.  To leave behind everything and everyone you love to go out into the great unknown is a true test of faith, courage and obedience, and I couldn't be more proud of him.  So preparing this post has definitely been bitter-sweet.

We spent many, many hours (about 3 games a week for the first 3 weeks of the month) watching Cam play baseball.  It's one of my favorite things to do, and especially fun as Cam had a great year playing 2nd and some 1st base on the JV team.  He had a great year at the plate as well- getting many, many singles and a few nice doubles.

One day when the Bundy's were over for dinner, Lindsey took a picture of herself making a hideous face and made it be the screen saver on my phone.  When I noticed it I thought it was really funny, but thought it would be even funnier to post it on instagram.  WELL, she thought it was funny too but to get me back the next day I find the picture to the right on facebook.  Notice any differences in my hair and body?  When I first saw it, I noticed the red hair of course, and I was pretty sure my legs looked a little chunkier than I think they are and I was really hoping she had done some enlargement editing.  Thankfully she had and we all got a big laugh out of it.  The next day she posted the real picture- much to my relief.  The lesson learned was- don't mess with Lindsey!

My favorite day of the year is Mother's Day- although now that I don't get to be with all 4 kids, I'll maybe have to change that to any day of the year when all of us are together.  I talked to Kylee on the phone before church, then after church we Skyped with Jess and Brad. We then went to the Weyerts for a Mother's Day/farewell to Jake steak dinner. It was delicious and fun as always. The day before, Carol, Mom and I went to Orem to Chelsea's bridal shower that Von gave her, and I was happy to get this huge supply of DoTerra products from cousin Janis.  Score!  Sadly, we didn't have much time to visit with the Romney's.  We left from there to go to SLC to The Piano Guys concert.  That was me and Carol's Mother's Day gift to Mom.  The concert was incredible!  Their music is one of my favorites.  I absolutely love it.

Jessica made me the most amazing Mother's Day gift.  She confiscated the little books that I wrote the funny saying the kids said when they were little, and created this awesome scrapbook.  I was so surprised and touched and excited!  It was fun to open it while Skyping with them.  Thanks again Jess!

Before heading down to Orem on Saturday, I went with Jake for his missionary haircut from Stacie then out to eat lunch at LaBeaus.  He was being his usual goofball self but then really, does anyone expect anything else?  He looked great before, and he looks great now.

Lindsey took some awesome missionary photos of him during that week at Lundstrom Park.  All the funny, goofy ones she did as a joke became his favorites and ended up as his profile pictures on facebook and instagram!  He's a silly boy.





Kylee and Brody arrived for the farewell weekend on Thursday night.  It was so great to have them stay with us as Jess and Brad were out of the guest room.  Sadly we were missing Jess and Brad all weekend as they weren't able to come home from Texas :( :( :(  It was so much fun having Ky & Brody around 24/7 as that hasn't happened since before we did our remodeling last year.  Friday morning Jake, Ky and I went on a lovely bike ride along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.  We had a fun time.  That night Bundy and the girls came over for dinner and cards.

On Saturday Ky and I worked out together at the SARC, then ran a few errands.  One of them was to Lee's Marketplace where they were having their semi-annual food show.  Our cousin Maria's husband Jarom (who is the produce manager) had created this awesome display outside the store, so I had to snap a few pictures.

We all then spent a busy afternoon doing various things. Luckily the rain stopped long enough so we could get the things done that we needed to.  Mike did some yard work and appreciated the help from Brody and Bundy in getting the deck mostly finished- at least enough to use the next day.  Cam mowed the lawn, and Ky, the Bundy girls and I got the chairs cleaned and patio swept.  Poor Jake was stuck inside putting the finishing touches on his talk.  He was one happy boy about 3 pm when he was all done and could relax for the rest of the day.

(the top left picture was actually taken a week ago when Mike and Bundy put the posts in for the deck)

  See how relaxed and happy Jake looks!  This is right after he got done writing his talk.  Sal wants to always be where the action is.  He was put inside because he was getting in the way outside, but he was not happy about it.

 Syd, Adam and Rafe came to spend the evening with us around 4:30.  It was great to have them join in the fun (the work had to stop not only because they came but because it started raining again right when they arrived) and spend several hours with us.  We had a cookout, played scum and made indoor s'mores.  It was so fun to see and spend time with them- especially darling little Rafe man.  He's so cute and entertaining.

Kylee spent about 1/2 hour playing the piano and I loved every second of it. I absolutely love that she still plays and that she's so good at it.  All she has to practice on in Ft. Collins is a keyboard, so I'm extra impressed that she's still so good.  Let the record show that when Jake left, he and Cam were the same height!

The day of the farewell dawned with beautiful clear skies.  I was so excited thinking we could send most people outside to eat.  We got all the chairs set up and all the food ready to set out when we got home from Sacrament meeting.  It was so nice of Kylee, Brody, Mom, Gary, Trace, Janet, Densleys, Romneys, Bundy and girls and Andy and Chelsea to come from my side and Tom, Freda, Tiny, Heather and boys, Teresa, and Tommy and Jessica and kids to come to support Jake.  We missed those of you who were out of town or sick and couldn't make it.  I have never seen anyone more nervous for an event than Jake was for his farewell talk.  He's been talking about it for years saying how much he dreaded it, and couldn't he get out of it somehow.  The night before, I spent about 45 minutes with him talking about things like if he should hug or just shake hands with people, what time we should leave to go over, and if he should really tell the stories he had prepared or do something else.  He was really in a state.  Happily and thankfully, it all came together and he did an awesome job. He didn't seem nervous at all.  I'm sure that was him being blessed because of all the prayers for him that I personally have been saying as well as his own and others.  The lunch after was delicious and even though it rained for about 5-10 minutes right when it was time to start and people had to go downstairs instead of staying outside, it all turned out OK.  It was so nice to have so much help with the food from family and friends.  Jake, Cam and all the friends left about a half hour later to go to Bretton's farewell, so I was disappointed about the timing of that, but what can you do.  Jake got back just as some people were leaving so he was able to say goodbye to almost everyone.

Jake breathed a big sigh of relief when the last group left about 3:30.  We spent a relaxing rest of the day hanging out, cleaning up, playing games, eating left overs, and watching the movie "The Guardian."  Kylee gave me and Mike our birthday gifts early so she could be here to watch us open them.  She made Mike the Hero's frame and put words that describe him that she gathered from a lot of family and friends.  She made me the awesome board that says "First we had each other, then we had YOU, now we have everything."  I love it so much and will treasure it always.  And yes, it did bring a tear to my eye.  The awesome artwork is Brody's good luck send off to Jake!  Also that night I surprised Mike with his 50th birthday present from me so Jake and the Hatch's could be here to see him open it.  And so he can plan to be gone from work for 4 days.  I'm taking him on a trip to Nauvoo! Somewhere we've always wanted to go.  He was very excited.

The next day we invited the Skeens and Bundy's over for breakfast and to say goodbye.  Stacie and Tom stopped by on Tuesday to say a final goodbye. Stacie made Jake the cute candy bar letter.

Jake's last day was spent like this:  He went to the temple with his friends Kaden and Bretton while I worked out.  When he got home, he and I watched Captain America (his favorite movie of all time) then I had to go to work for 1 1/2 hours.  He watched The Avengers (second favorite movie) with Kaden and hung out with him until it was time to go out to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings.  His choice for his last supper.  At 9:30 was his setting apart conducted by President Wallis in our home.  That was a very choice and special experience.  I felt the spirit so strongly and really appreciated the opportunity it gave us all to tell Jake how we feel about him and to bear our testimony.  Jakes friends Kaden and Bretton were there, along with Parker Lester (Cam's friend and the brother to Jakes best friend Corey who is on a mission in Ukraine) Bishop Larsen, and Ryan & Lindsey. After singing "Called to Serve" and having Mike give a sweet opening prayer, we all took turns bearing our testimony and sharing feelings with Jake.  It was very emotional and touching.  Then President Wallis told some amazing and spiritual stories, then gave the incredible setting apart blessing.  He and Bishop left right after that and the rest of us sat around for about 20 minutes trying to remember everything that was said in the blessing and writing it down.  Wow- there were some incredible things said and I'm so happy that with everyone's help we now have a record of so much of it.  I know it will be a help and strength for Jake to draw on while on his mission.

Emma was very sad to say goodbye to Jake (especially given the fact that she's had a little crush on him for the past few months. . . ) and Jake to her.  He thinks of her and Lydia like the nieces he hasn't had yet. Sadly for Jake, Lydia went to spend the night with Ann so wasn't there to say goodbye.

Jake's non-member friend Jameson came over after the setting apart to spend a few hours with the other guys reminiscing and having fun until they finally left about 1 a.m.  Cam and Jake talked after that and didn't get to bed until 3. . .

The next day- Wednesday, May 22, is the day I've been dreading/anticipating and trying to prepare for for the past 4 months. But what I came to realize, you can't really prepare for it.  I couldn't believe it was actually here.  It was rather surreal.  I had planned to go to my Ballates class at 7, but I was on the verge of tears and actually did cry when the teacher asked me what I was doing there, that I ended up leaving half way through the class so go home and be there when Jake woke up so I could lay in bed by him. I loved that last bit of quiet time with him even though he was pretty out of it.  We finished packing, I made waffles, Freda came to say a final goodbye, then we were on the road to Provo by 10:00 (Cam and Jake are face-timing Jess and Brad one last time in bottom left pict).

 We stopped for lunch and then headed up to the Provo temple to take some pictures.

We found a parking lot near the MTC to say some private goodbyes.  It was heart wrenching. Without a doubt one of the hardest things I've ever had to do- say goodbye to my treasured and loved son and watch him having such a hard time saying goodbye to us.  It was something I will never forget- the feelings of love, tenderness and sorrow that we all shared together. Especially hard was watching Jake and Cam say goodbye to each other, knowing they won't see each other for over 3 years.

The dropoff at the MTC was quick but still painful.  Watching him walk away was extremely difficult.  I had to not look back as soon as I got in the car.  It hasn't gotten much easier now that it's been 4 days, although it did help a ton when we got our first letter from him on Friday and heard that he's doing good.  He said the first day was terrible, but the second day was a lot better.  It helps so much to know he's happy, that he loves his companion and district, and is going forward with faith!

Maybe someday soon I'll be able to go into his room.  For now the door remains closed and every so often I"ll open it and take a peek and get a wiff of "his" smell and realize that it's still too soon to spend much time there. . .

In other news. . .(it is now May31st- Jake's been gone 9 whole days!)

Cam was appointed as a Senior Class Officer so was busy the last few weeks of school helping with end of year activities and Graduation.(he was supposed to wear this sign around at school one day- ya, that didn't happen. . .)

 Oh Cam's last day of classes, he and his friends came over to hang out and played with the Bundy girls who were over while Lindsey was working for Mike, then after his friends left, Cam played outside with the girls for another hour.  Isn't the bottom right picture the cutest? Oh, and the girls are under all the stuffed animals in the bottom left picture!

 Memorial Weekend was a busy one.  On Friday night the Skeens invited Mike and I, Mom, Carol and the Romneys (who were in town for the weekend) over for a fire and s'mores.  On Saturday Mike stained the deck so it was fully functioning on Sunday when we had dinner for all the people pictured below.  I'm so happy to have more seating for occasions such as this.

 We went to the Clarkston Cemetery with Mom and Romneys and met Ann and Carol and Makayla out there.  I always love our annual trip there to visit dearly departed loved ones.

On Monday we went to the Griffins for their annual  Memorial Day breakfast. It's always fun to see extended family and feast on a delicious meal.  After that Cam headed home to go swimming with his friends at the Aquatic Center and Mike and I went to the Hyrum cemetery looking for some of his ancestors.  We then went to Wellsville to drop off Jess and Brad's temple clothes (the Lubbock temple doesn't rent clothing) to a couple who is going out there this weekend and when I went to the house to drop them off, who should answer the door but Jessica!  I was sooooo surprised and shocked!  She and her friend Mindi (Brad's boss's wife) decided last minute to drive home for a week so Mindi could do some things on the new house they're building. Who else but Jessica would be willing to drive 17 hours straight with 2 little kids (Mindi's- ages 2 & 4)???  She's amazing.  I was so happy to see her and to have a diversion for my loneliness for the week.  

We did so many fun things while she was here.  We watched "our" shows- Bachelorette and So You Think you Can Dance and she made that cute baby carrier cover for her friend Mikell with instruction from Pinterest.  She's a creative, crafty girl.

We went on a short hike with Lindsey and to lunch with Grandma Freda at Firehouse.

 Another day we had lunch at Rumbi Grill with Mom, Ann, Lindsey and Lydia.  We went shopping one afternoon and spent over an hour at Bella Me finding Jess a bunch of birthday clothes. Of course we had to get frozen yogurt at our favorite place- Twizlberry.

We sat in the hot tub a few times and went for a bike ride to Aggie Ice Cream (Cam had to ride the scooter because we didn't have time to change a flat tire on the bike) It's going to be extra lonely now that she's gone and it's just the 3 of us.  I'm afraid it's going to be a long summer. Wish me luck!