Cruisin'

Michael left after church today to go on a week long cruise with his best friend Tyler & his family. So awesome.  We will miss him during Spring Break but know he is have an incredible time cruising around Jamaica, the Grand Cayman Islands and Cozumel.  

I wish I had my camera when they left together after church.  Michael and Tyler, both dressed in their suits, walking away in the light mist, one with a backpack and the other pulling a suitcase.  For a short moment, time stood still and I thought, they really look like missionaries!  My heart skipped a beat as a little mist blurred my vision.  Where has the time gone?!  These two sweet boys who have known each other all of their lives, practically all grown up now.  So glad they have this opportunity for this fun adventure together this week!

Michael & Tyler, 2013

Acceptance Letter

Quick selfie before church...
gotta take some while we still can!

It was a great day at church.  We have a fantastic ward who have played such a huge part in our family's lives in the nearly 19 years we have lived in Houston.  The support and excitement for Michael as his mission call was announced at church was a sweet experience.  Watching the Bishop come in before the meeting and making a beeline to hug Michael, all the sweet ladies who taught and helped raise Michael just beam with pride, and his friends, youth leaders and Scout leaders shaking his hand, congratulating him.  He was even given his first "Ugly Tie" to start his tie collection :)

Michael wasted no time in filling out his Missionary Call Acceptance with the Bishop to be returned this week to The First Presidency.  

Signature of missionary.  Wow.

Opening the Mission Call

Waiting for Michael to arrive...

Opening the call!

ARGENTINA CORDOBA MISSION!

The Call

HUGS!

Facetime and Skype with Grandparents

Checking it all out

Awesome Friends!

My super talented friend Nicole came over to and took pictures of this exciting night for us.  To see more of Nicole's pictures of the night check out her photography blog - Nicole's blog

Mission Call Video

You've Got Mail!

February was a busy month of appointments for Michael.  He got to visit doctors and denists and have all sorts of fun things done.  16 days ago Michael met with President Barrow, the President of the local Stake (area) of the Church and officially submitted his paperwork to become a Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

Fast forward 2 weeks, 2 false alarm big white envelopes from other people, and lots of mid day texts asking, "Has the mail come yet?"

Someone got mail today!

Michael has been working and having fun with friends at the Rodeo today but will be home at 8 pm to open the call!  Tough to look at it all day and know inside is the answer to where Michael will be serving the next 2 years!  Even Luke said, "Let's just open it up!"  But we will wait :)

Fun with Luke

For the past year, we have been babysitting 2 sweet kids (a 1 yr old and 2 1/2 yr old) about 45 hours a week.  Luke loved having Bobby and Clara around to play with, and liked being the big brother to them. They moved a couple of weeks ago, so it has just been Luke and I again during the days while the big kids are at school.  It has been so much fun! We have started going back to the YMCA, having more playdates with friends, impromptu trips to the zoo and other places (things that are a little tougher to do with little ones who need naps and frequent stops & diaper changes).

Painting

 

With just a few months of school left and then Luke starting Kindergarten in the fall, we need to make the most of these opportunities.  Luke is a funny and kind kid to be with.  I can see the influences of each of his older siblings emerge in his personality, it is so fun to spend time with him.

Wednesdays are half price days at the Houston Livestock & Rodeo + kids get in free.  So Luke and I took advantage of the last 2 Wednesdays and went to the Livestock Show.  Each time we went with different friends and had a great time.

       

Petting Zoo Fun!

 Pig Races - Both Luke and Nathan got picked to be cheer leaders of their sections!

       

                     

Fun on the Run

Every Monday night we spent time together as a family.  We use this time to teach each other important things.  Usually it is pretty structured, some songs, prayers, a lesson, fun activity and treat but we mix it up occasionally.  This week was one of those action FHE's (Family Home Evening).  Since the odds of anyone we delivered to is really slim (especially since we hardly ever blog!),  I will go ahead and risk putting this post out there.  Don and Michael were both working late but we gave them updates throughout the evening.

We started off with this video.

Then everyone picked someone to they wanted to visit, put together our packages and headed out. Daylight savings time kinda made it a little more interesting without the dark to hide in.

Luke was about to explode with excitement.

It was a great night to go for a run :)

Of course, it wouldn't be FHE without a treat, so we had to stop at Shipley's on our way home.  

President Garfield

Jake did an amazing job on his research project on President James A. Garfield this week.  He wowed us with all the facts he had memorized about President Garfield.  Jake has become an excellent storyteller, very animated when he is excited about the subject matter.  We had no idea President Garfield was so interesting.  Best part of all, he did everything on this project by himself!