And...He's off!

It has been quite the day. We spent the morning making sure we had all the stuff we needed--immunization papers, body soap, socks, camera, etc. Then we realized that the baptism pants still needed hemming. All was found and packed at last. Off to lunch at Cocolito's where we found another large gathering sending off a son on a mission to Eugene, Oregon.

The new send off at the MTC was just wonderful. You park across the street and are told to spend as much time as you need saying goodbye and taking pictures. When you are ready you get back in the car, you drive into the grounds, are sent down to the flag area, and are assigned to one of 12 spots around the door. A couple of serving missionaries come to open your doors and ask to collect your luggage for you. An older sister missionary come to say hello with her clipboard. After looking for your missionary on her list, she puts his MTC address on a card to give you. She then says you must get your camera out because the missionary helper would like to take pictures for you. You pose, and begin to cry. Then the hugging. Soon enough the luggage goes one way and the missionary goes in the doors, and you are left wiping tears. The lovely woman just thanks you over and over for bringing your missionary and letting him serve. You feel very appreciated and special. Into the car for a short drive around the back of the MTC to come out on the road by the stadium, then home. It's very short, sweet, and personal.

Chris made the comment of the day.
"We've made our missionary donation for the year." It felt just like we we're driving away from D.I. or savers. Haha.

The boys have wasted no time. The bedroom Josh, Chris, and Nate have shared has been revamped already. IT is very roomy and bright with the top bunkbed gone to the shed.

Here are a few pictures of the day. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Signing off for now,
The Mama

Farewell Sunday

Just two more days, and then "Poof!" he will turn into a missionary. Yep, that's right. Just two more days. We will drive up to the MTC, unload him at the curb, hug, and drive home. Things are quick and easy in Provo now. Until then Josh is going to be busy packing up his stuff and packing the suitcases. Woo hoo what fun.

So many wonderful people came to share a special good-bye time with us today. We feel very loved. Thank you for coming today.

It was quite hot so little ones showed us how to cool off with the water fountain. Only one fatality occurred all day. Jojo slipped and bashed his forehead. All is good now.

Signing off for now,

The Mama

Tick-tock, tick-tock...

The time is just not going fast enough for our missionary son these days. It just feels like July 22nd will never get here. Work is even slow.

Here are a few pictures to show how he is spending his days.

Josh and Sadie went to Summerfest and were the oldest two people in the "get your face painted" booth. They are official Borg now.


We call the new biking look "Gore!" How do you like it?

Sister Crookston bakes awesome chocolate cake. Joseph had the first corner before we new it.

Breakfast is sooooooooooooo much fun--well, at least Jo was enjoying it.


Only 31 days till he leaves.

Signing off for now,
The Mama

Argentina Bahia Blanca

He's off to South America to the Argentina Bahia Blanca Mission.  Josh is to report to the MTC in Provo, Utah, on July 22, 2009.  WOW!!!  Not anywhere we were expecting.

Got to get back to our company and son.  More later.

Signing off for now,

The Mama"

P.S.  Josh's dance partner and friend, Heather, wins the guessing contest.  She guessed Argentina.  Congrats, Heather.  You win a selection of candy bars.

THE CALL HAS ARRIVED!!!

We've been waiting on pins and needles every day since Sunday for the mail to arrive.  Thank goodness the mail is normally here between 11 a.m. and 12 noon.  Monday it didn't come till 4 p.m.  Yesterday I personally gave up hope when it didn't come, and had settled on the fact that it would come sometime next week.  

Lo and behold, today at 10:55 a.m. Joshua's  mission call arrived via U.S. Postal Service.  The postman knocked on the door and gave it to him personally.  Of course, we immediately called Jeff to ask him to come home for the opening.  You see, we asked him how he wanted to handle the opening of his call.  At first he was adamant that he could wait to open it once he had it in his hands. Since submitting the papers every couple of days he has changed his mind on the matter going from "everyone should be here," to, "I can't wait--only my immediate family."    Only yesterday Josh informed us that he was not going to wait for people to gather for the opening of the letter.  So today we were prepared for Jeff to leave work immediately to come home.  

I am happy to annouce that he changed his mind yet again, and has decided to wait for his friends and relatives to gather for this exciting moment.  Joshua will be opening his call at approximately 9 p.m. MST.  I don't think it will actually happen until closer to 9:30 p.m. since he is scheduled to work until then, but he thinks his boss will let him off early.

If you would like to be here for this joyous occassion we would love to have you here.   Anyone not able to attend please check back here around 10 p.m.  I will post the details of the call--a.k.a. the location and date of departure-- then.  Thanks for all your support of the years.

Signing off for now,

The Mama 

We just checked and YES, the papers are with the Church Headquarters.

YEAH!!!  It is really happening.

Have a Fantabulous day, and we'll be back later.

Signing off for now,

The Mama

Today is the big day--well, the first big day.  Today the papers can finally be submitted to church headquarters.  Woo Hoo!!!

We'll let you know when the call comes.

Signing off for now,

The Mama