Newport Beach 2022

One of our favorite summer vacations is Newport Beach! Katie and I planned a week that worked for us this year and made it happen!  My parents are always up to join any vacation anyone plans so they were in too.  We had a wonderful week together soaking in every last minute we had with Parker.  He LOVES being with family and loves the beach so it was a perfect way to end our last summer with him. Chan and Julianne came and stayed with my parents a few days as well.  We always love their company! 

One of the highlights was going to the Newport temple to do baptisms with the kids and to do an endowment with Parker.  It is so special to me to be in that sacred house with my dear family. Another highlight for the girls was seeing some of their friends they met from EFY who live down in Newport.  

So thankful for my family!!!  

2 Weeks Gone...

 When Parker received his mission call in April we had 4 months until his report date of August 17.  I remember thinking that seemed like a long time. Definitely enough time to get in our many "lasts" before he left.  Well,  those 4 months flew by and that boy of mine is now at the Provo MTC. It is hard to put into words the many emotions that go into sending your child on a mission.  As people have asked me leading up to him leaving I decided there are 3 main categories of emotions or feelings I have at any given moment of any given day.  The first is joy.  I am so incredibly proud of Parker for the desire he has to serve a mission.  He truly wants to serve without coaxing or questioning or fear he just planned to serve and is. As it has gotten closer to his leaving I have asked him many times if he is nervous, doubtful, anxious, scared, etc. to which he has equivocally responded every time that he is not, he says he has wanted to serve a mission since he was little and is so excited for that time to finally be here.  I feel joy in knowing the experiences he will have strengthening his faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel.  I feel joy in knowing the growth that will happen as he serves, and loves and becomes a man during these two years.  I feel joy in seeing the light in him and the preparation he has made to be worthy and able to serve the Lord in this way.  I feel so happy seeing him do something I have dreamed of him doing since I knew I was pregnant with my first son.  Lots and lots of pride and joy.  

The second feeling I have felt is sadness.  I think this feeling actually outweighs the feeling of joy sometimes and especially with it only being a few weeks since he has been gone I feel heart wrentching sadness (which I will say is getting better with time).  I have felt so sad pointing out all of the "lasts" as his departure got closer.  Our last time as a family to ______.  It felt so heavy and impending and just sad.  I have watched his little mannerisms closely these last 4 months, imprinted his voice in my mind (that sometimes sounds so much like Erik I can't tell them apart).  I have tried to hug and touch and express love to him more and remember what he feels like, smells like, etc.  I have studied his freckles and happy eyes and the sadness I feel to not see him everyday, talk to him, etc is so real and painful.  I would also add depressed to the feeling of sadness.  I genuinely feel depressed about the change happening in our family.  Our oldest has left the nest and our family will never be the same again.  Living under one roof, eating dinners together, playing games together, studying, laughing, bickering, etc.  The feeling of knowing all of my kids are safe and asleep in a bed nearby won't be mine again as after these 2 years on a mission Parker will attend BYU and then the girls leave for college and then, and then and then. School, marriage, grandkids, etc.  It's an exciting new chapter in life but I am really mourning the end of this chapter.  The 18 years of just us.  I sobbed like a baby when I hugged Parker for the last time in 2 years.  I tried to be strong for him and pull it together but I genuinely felt like part of my heart was leaving and 2 weeks later that hole is still there.  

The last feeling I have had is worry.  I worry that Parker will be able to handle the rigors and changes that are taking place in his life.  No more comforts of his own bed, home cooked meals, friends, or a cell phone (that is a third arm to our society these days.) Will he be able to cope mentally, get up early, work hard, get along with companions, be safe?  Will he have people to teach in Africa, will he get some sort of sickness or even worse get hurt and be so very far away.  Will his anxieties be OK, can he manage the different food, difficult companions, long days, rejection, etc? Will he come back to us safe and well?  The worry can be debilitating so I have to consciously put it away and choose to focus on the joy, the good, the positive.  

I have thought a lot about faith and sacrifice on this journey of sending a missionary off.  It hasstruck me specifically what Parker is sacrificing.  Major things like being near his family, hanging out with his friends, dating girls, going to school, etc.  To minor things like not listening to his favorite country music, not watching movies, having to wear a shirt and tie 6 days a week.  It's a LOT.  And my dear son is willing to do it.  To give it all up for the Lord.  I have thought about the sacrifice of mother's everywhere as well.  Erik and I have commented that usually when you see a missionary you ask about his family, where he is from, what his parents do, how many siblings he has etc. but don't really take time to think about that family back home.  From now on, every time I see a missionary I will forever get a lump in my throat thinking of his family.  In my minds eye, I see parents and a family who are feeling what I have been feeling.  A mother who probably hugged her son a million extra times that last week, walked in to watch him sleep at night, and sobbed the saddest cry she has ever cried when he left.  I see the faith and courage these young men and women have to go out and teach the world about Jesus Christ.  I am so incredibly proud of them.  I am humbled to have a missionary of my own.  

I too am exercising more faith than I probably ever have that the Lord will hold my son in the palm of His hand.  That He will teach and train and send angles to help in the mighty work he is doing.  I have faith that our ancestors who have gone before will be the ones on his right hand and left, that they will be the ones who will go before his face and round about him to bear him up when the days are long and discouragement is real.  I know many of these ancestors.  I love and miss them, I know if they were given a choice there isn't anywhere else they would rather be than with my missionary, part of their posterity.  

I am so incredibly thankful for Jesus Christ.  I KNOW with my entire heart that He is real because of the many experiences I have had with Him in my life.  I am indebted to Him for his goodness and mercy he shows to me daily.  I Love him and will give my heart and faith and even my dear son to His service so that others will know the joy that comes from this knowledge.  I am so proud of my boy for going out to the world to share God's plan of happiness with others.  Living this plan brings me joy and happiness unequalled.  

We get to talk to Parker once a week on his P Day (Preparation Day) and hearing how happy he is, the spiritual experiences he is already having, the things he is learning and saying is filling my heart and helping each day and week get a little easier.  He recently found out he will be staying an extra week at the MTC because his Visa hasn't come yet.  I am counting down again until Friday when we get to talk to him again and hear how this week goes with his district leaving and his companion and he staying another week for their visas.  I am sure it will be emotional and sad for him as he loves his district and these guys he has only known 3 weeks.  So many adventures lay ahead, so many exciting new and hard things, but I am in it for the long haul and will take my heart along with me for ride.  

These Beautiful People

These beautiful people are my in laws.  They couldn't be more genuine, kind and good.  I love them with  my whole heart, truly. My mother- in law turned 70 this week and Erik and I wanted to celebrate her.  Her love, her faith, her efforts, her birth! So we coordinated with Erik's sister Andrea to make it happen.  Cute Rob and Brooke would have loved to make it as well, but between Covid, a new baby and a 5th birthday party it didn't work out for them to be there.  We sure missed them but were able to have a wonderful day spotlighting this lovely lady below.  Erik and I flew in at midnight and slept at Andrea's so we didn't ruin the surprise.  The next morning we grabbed some balloons and headed over for the big reveal. :)  Erik's dad knew about it and did a great job keeping it a secret.  Becky had no idea. She was certainly surprised and so happy to see us standing on the porch.  

I need to backtrack for a minute to mention that my amazing father in law had a heart attack about 6 weeks ago.  We are so incredibly grateful he is OK and prayers and have been answered.  He had a quadruple bypass surgery and has been recovering well.  We are so indebted to Heavenly Father that this was caught soon and taken care of quickly. Both Mike and Becky have exemplified such faith reliance on the Lord during this trial.  I am so thankful for their example to me and my children. 

We took a few pictures with the balloons we brought...

And then Andrea and I took Becky to get a pedicure hoping it was our treat but she ended up paying. We all got fun pink toes and went back to meet the Erik and his dad and head to lunch. 

Andrea's husband Mike was able to meet us for lunch and we enjoyed lots of fun conversation, laughing, gift giving and yummy food.  We ate at Thanksgiving Point and it was a wonderful treat. 

I could say a million things about my mother-in-law.  I truly love her.  She is one of the most Christlike women I know and lives what she believes.  We gathered 70 things we love about her for her 70th and I thought it would be cute to include it here. 

                                                                            Chocolate brownies- Mike J.

Fun sense of humor- Mike J.

Fiercely focused on other people, their pain, their needs, their challenges and their thoughts- Mike J. 

Great example of Christ-centered life- Mike J. 

Steady in handling the ups and downs of life- Mike J. 

I love grandma’s stories- Taylor

I love her constant support- Taylor

I love her plentiful attitude- Taylor 

I love her rice- Taylor

How supportive she is- McKay

How she generously gives- McKay

Her patience- McKay

The brownies she makes- McKay

I love the feeling in your home and how you make it so welcoming and inviting- Andrea

I love the way you serve.  You always seem to know what people need.- Andrea

I love you you make everyone around you feel special and needed. (That’s a trait that I admired about Grandma Colleen too.) You both know how to make people feel loved. - Andrea 

I love your testimony and faith…and that you’re always eager to learn more.  It’s blessed my life immensely.- Andrea  

I love that you spend time with me. - Andrea 

I love that she does peacemaker prizes- Norah

I love her clothes, she always looks pretty- Norah

I love when she does my hair- Norah

Grandma Becky keeps her home so special- Norah 

She gives me prizes- Henry 

She is kind to me- Henry 

I love when she sings- Henry

I love Grandma Becky because she is very kind and I love her- Henry

I love that grandma is so helpful- Abigail 

I love the grandma savors the moments with me- Abigail

I love how grandma sings to me- Abigail

I love how grandma spoils me with hugs and kisses- Abigail 

I love how positive and uplifting Becky is! She is always one to look on the bright side and reassure me that all will work out.- Brooke

I love what a wonderful grandma Becky is. I truly value good examples for my children and I’m grateful they have grandma Becky to learn from and to love them. - Brooke 

I love how thoughtful Becky is. She is always so thoughtful of our day to day. Becky is always sure to ask how a doctor’s visit went or how a relationship is going. She cares about the seemingly meaningless aspects of our lives. - Brooke

I love how dedicated Becky is to our Savior.  She has a clear perspective on what’s important. She is a beautiful example of what it means to be the Lord’s hands. - Brooke

I love how grateful Becky is.  she has such a gratitude for her family, people who serve her, and for the beauty of the earth. She is a wonderful example of gratitude to me. - Brooke 

Mom is always thinking about our well- being. Almost every time I get to the end of a conversation with her, I realize we’ve mostly been talking about me and my family- I’ve hardly had the chance to ask how she’s doing.- Rob

I appreciate the way mom loves and cares for dad.  She and dad have been a great example of Christlike companions.- Rob

Mom always makes me feel special and is quick to build me up.- Rob

Mom is always looking for ways she can help.  Whether I’m working on a church lesson or talk, have something outstanding on my to-do list, have a medical question, or need advice, mom is always my go-to resource. - Rob

I love the feeling of “home” that mom has created in her house. Mom has set a great example of motherhood and womanhood for me and my family. - Rob

Mom has always been someone that is very interested in how you are doing. She always asks more questions than you ask her because she loves and cares about you so much.- Erik

Mom is very smart and has a vast knowledge of the gospel and life. Whenever you need help with a talk or lesson, she has amazing ideas.- Erik

Mom always believes that through prayer we can get answers and resolutions to anything. She is always the first one to pray or put our names on the temple list whenever help is needed.- Erik

Mom is actually a really big BYU fan. She watches the games with Dad, knows about all the players and can always chime in to any sports conversations.- Erik

Mom is the best mom that any kid could ask for. She will do anything to make sure you are happy and comfortable in life- Erik

Grandma is very selfless, she is always doing things to help other people- Parker

Grandma is very thoughtful. When she gives you a compliment it is usually one of the most genuine compliments you will ever receive.- Parker

Grandma is a great cook! I always have the best dinners at her house!- Parker

Grandma is very Christlike, just as her parents were. Even when she would have a right to be angry or frustrated in some situations, she always treats the person like Christ would and leaves them feeling special.- Parker

I love how generous grandma is! She is always offering to buy me things and her and grandpa always give me the sweetest birthday, Christmas, Easter, fourth of July, Valentines, Thanksgiving, and St. Patrick’s Day gifts.  I can always expect an amazing hand written note to go along with it. - Addie 

Grandma is so helpful and selfless! She is not one to sit around and constantly cares about everyone.  I always see her helping people clean up, doing the dishes, wiping the table, and picking up! She also sends me sweet paragraphs randomly telling me how much she loves me and asking me how I’m doing.- Addie

She is spiritually strong. I know how strong her testimony is by seeing what she does to show her love for Christ and the gospel! She is always happy to share her testimony with anyone!- Addie

Grandma is an amazing example! She is the best in every single way! I love her so much!!- Addie

Grandma is generous and gives us nice presents. I love when she sends us things for the holidays- Corbett

Grandma is aware of everyones’ feelings- Corbett

 

Grandma is fun and plans fun things for us to do when we come- Corbett

Grandma gives nice compliments to everyone- Corbett

I love grandma’s love for the Lord and her family. She has a love for the Lord and her family like no one else I know, and she is so good at showing it. -Berklie

I love grandma’s testimony and faith, grandma is always faithful no matter what comes her way and she is a great example to me.- Berklie

I love grandma’s enthusiasm for life, she is always happy and always has a smile on her face.- Berklie

I love grandma’s generosity and genuine kindness, she is so caring and is so genuine, she makes everyone feel so loved.- Berklie 

Mom has a way of making everyone feel like a million bucks.  Truly you can’t be around her without feeling like you are the “best” mom, “best” wife, “best” friend, “best” anything!  It is such a gift!- Kelly 

We have a saying in our family: “be gracious and grateful.”  I always think of mom when I remind my kids of this.  Mom is the most gracious and grateful person I know.  (Along with grandma Colleen!)-Kelly 

I love mom’s texts and emojis. She is always so expressive and her emojis are right on with the expression she is portraying in her text. They make me smile, cry or giggle.-Kelly 

I love the kind of grandma she is to my children.  She calls them to check on how big events went, texts just because, gives lots of hugs and kisses when we are together, sends packages and cards, motivates them with money, and compliments them to no end.-Kelly  

I love the immense faith mom exudes, lives, prays for, practices and teaches.  She knows the Lord, has perfect faith in Him, and lives her life as a disciple He can always count on. -Kelly