Two Months in One Post, Ready Go!

Ewwww, I can’t believe I’m so behind with our blog. Two important, happy, hard, life changing months have gone by without so much as a written word. Here goes the abbreviated version.

In June, Caleb graduated from high school and everything was a rush of activity after that. We had a limited amount of time to fit in a family vacation and we left for Oregon on June 7, 2013 with my parents and sister, Toni. We rented a beach house in a small coastal town with an amazing view of the ocean. Unfortunately our trip was brought to a screeching halt with the news my grandma (my dad’s mom) had passed away. We were all prepared for this to happen as she’d been on hospice care far longer than her medical team predicted, but it was still a huge blow and I think we all struggled with being so far away and enjoying our vacation seemed wrong, if not downright impossible. I think we can all agree that the best part of the trip was the jet boat tour we took on the Rogue River. It was a blast.

On June 17th, Caitlin went to Oakcrest Camp for the last time. This is a special weeklong LDS camp for junior high age girls. Caitlin talked about her time at Oakcrest for an entire year and couldn’t wait to get back there again. It didn’t disappoint, she loved it and thinks she’d like to be a counselor there one day.

The following week we had eye appointments for the kids and me, Caleb went to the temple for the first time to take out his own endowments, I had my second Missionary Mom Dinner, Clint and I celebrated our 22nd anniversary, and Caitlin went to Youth Conference.

All of a sudden the calendar changed to July. JULY!!! The month that was going to take forever to come was here and we hadn’t really even started shopping for Caleb’s mission. Caitlin left for EFY in Provo on July 1 with her sweet friend Emma, and Clint and I attempted to work around Caleb’s crazy temporary job schedule to help get him outfitted for the mission field. As Caleb was working all night and coming home to sleep during the day, we had our work cut out for us. I wasn’t thrilled about Caleb taking a job (guarding a fireworks tent overnight), but looking back now, it created a golden opportunity for Clint and me to spend time with him in the weeks leading up to him leaving. We would usually go have a late dinner together, then go hang out with him for an hour or so. Several nights Clint would go back and stay several hours and they would talk about his mission experiences while eating popsicles together.

Caitlin had the most amazing experience at EFY and wants to go not once, but twice next summer. She was fired up when she came home, full of the spirit and the desire to do good. We had her home for a few days, then off to Girls Camp she went. Except for the rain and then having to abandon camp to come home early, they had a great time.

This brings us to the weekend of Caleb’s farewell. My entire family came to see our new Elder off. On Saturday we went to the zoo (Clint and Caleb opted out to finish some last minute errands) and then we had a family dinner.

On Sunday, Caleb did a fantastic job speaking and some of his friends performed a special musical number. There was a lot of support from family and friends and it was the best way I could imagine sending my son into the mission field. After church, we had a luncheon at the community club house and it was a great way to extend the day and give everyone the opportunity to spend time with Caleb.

On Monday there were yet a few more errands, last minute plans with friends, packing, and then being set apart as an Elder. Our Bishop and Stake President came over to our house and there was a special feeling as we were each asked to offer some advice to our new missionary and Caleb was asked to bear his testimony.  I really, really wish I’d thought to write down the key points of his blessing, but I didn’t. I remember some of the promises though, and I hope Caleb will also remember them as he serves for the next two years.

On Tuesday, we all slept in a little as packing and talking lasted into the morning hours. Amazingly everything fit into two large suitcases and a carry-on and before we knew it, it was time to go. We had a quick lunch on our way, and got to the airport right on time. Thanks to my job, we were able to take Caleb right to the gate, just like families were allowed to do pre-9/11. We’d spotted a few young men in security that we tagged as missionaries, but we were blown away when we rounded the turn to the gate to find many young missionaries waiting for the same flight. They were all headed for the New Zealand MTC, and then to the New Zealand Wellington mission. Awesome! We took plenty of pictures and were able to share them with all the missionaries families over the course of the next few days. When it came time to say goodbye to Caleb, it really helped knowing he was traveling with new friends.

With the absolute whirlwind of June and most of July, Clint, Caitlin, and I have opted for a quiet remainder of summer. We’ve kept busy with work, shopping for school clothes, caring for a baby bird, coming up with care packages to send Caleb, attending an open house and Back to School Night at Caitlin’s brand new school. Caitlin and I have pampered ourselves with facials and manicures, new shoes, Red Mango, and all the latest appropriate movies. Oh, and we also fit in a trip to Bear Lake. We decided on three must-do things, a Pickelville Playhouse theater experience,  raspberry shakes, and time on a wave runner. It was really a fun time. Next year we’ll go for more than one day. Ha!

Tomorrow school starts for Caitlin. She’ll be a big ninth grader this year. Exciting and crazy all at once. I think her new school shoes represent her pretty well- cute, fun, quirky, and a little bit sparkly.