Well, here we are at the end of the hardest thing I think I have had to do in a long time. It all started last Friday..... well, it actually started 19 years ago and if we really want to get technical, 9 months before that, but I think we'll just start at Friday, March 12th. This was the day that 10 of Mike's immediate family came to Washington. I spent the better part of Friday morning cleaning and getting ready for company. I remember my mom-in-law asking me years ago if I went crazy getting the the house crazy clean for their impending visits. I told her I cleaned, but I wasn't totally crazy. I do clean the house for them. I don't do it to impress them or because I think they will judge me having a dirty house, I do it because they deserve to be in a clean place to sleep. That is probably a whole other subject. As I was cleaning, poor Chloe was following me around everywhere I was looking up at me with those big puppy dog eyes saying, "Are we EVER going to sit down on the couch and cuddle today?" I finally decided to sit at about 1 or 2 knowing that Matt and Corbin would be our first to arrive about 3 or 4, but as soon as I sat down, Matt and Corbino knocked on the door. It was great to see them. We haven't seen either of them since Thanksgiving 2008. Too bad the rest of his family couldn't come, but we will take who we can. After a quick tour of the house, Matt spied the brake pads on the counter for the Pathfinder, took them and kindly saved us $200 bucks by putting them on the Pathfinder for us. He's such a great guy!
Mom & Dad Nelson, Camie & Richard and their kids were next to come. It was so good to see them. The trip for them was LONG. Mom and Dad clear from Texas and a prego Camie from Utah, long for them, but much apperieciated by us.
They all took a tour of the yard, house, barn and garage. They all loved it. Richard informed Camie that he definately wanted a barn on their property. He really enjoyed the "man cave." We ate dinner and stayed up for a while. Nate flew into the Pasco Airport from Nevada (and boy are his arms tired!;) Mike and the boys picked him up and promptly went to the Court Club to play some racquetball. Shame on them with his mom and dad sitting here, but whatev..... we had fun without them.
The next morning we made a yummy breakfast and the boys went to play racquetball again. That was fine because Mom, Dad, Camie and I went shopping to Great Deals. I got the cutest display for the future jewelry I am creating. It will be awesome. We also went to Richland and to the paper store there. Got some way cute paper and Camie got a bunch of kits for the Disneyland trip that they took awhile ago. Mom bought great stuff too. I was a good girl married to the budget nazi and only bought two sheets of paper.
That afternoon we all went in and got some family pictures taken at JC Penny. We had the greatest photographer who could deal with the 16 of us. Her name was Brittney. She wasn't supposed to be there, but for some reason, she was and boy were we glad. We took a little of forever, but it will be worth it when we get the CD back with all the pics we had taken on it.
Then it was home for dinner and getting ready for Tyler's Tie party for the next day. The family played a fun game called "Loaded Questions". I was in the kitchen during the fun, but it sounded like fun and loud laughter. Our Bishop called in the middle of the fun to come visit to meet Mike's family. As always, he was terrific. What a great blessing he is in our family's lives. The fun continued into the night with a Catan game that I didn't stay up for. I was headed to sleepy land.
The next morning church was not only at 9:00 am, but it was daylight savings the midnight before, so we all had to get up EARLY for Tyler's farewell. After a good breakfast to tie us over until lunch, we said a family prayer and we were on our way to the church. It was great to see the support of our friends in different wards come to support Tyler. He really did a great job on his talk. He worked on it all week which really was a little different than what he normally does. We were pleased that he put that effort into it and it paid off for him in his presentation. And, just because he asked me not to, I didn't cry. I am such a good mom.
After lunch and a little bit longer than anticipated "quick" game of Loaded Questions, we headed over to the Stake President's office for Tyler's setting apart. That was really special. The Stake President and Mom and Dad got off on a little "Spanish Fark" tangent, but then he asked Dad to bear his testimony, then me and Mike and Tyler. Dad's was special speaking of the great example Tyler was to his younger cousins - he being their first grandchild to serve a mission. I spoke, but of course, cried. He didn't say I couldn't or could cry in his setting apart, so I cried. I am so aware that our Father knows Tyler so personally and is so proud of his choices. Mike spoke next and got a little teary as well. He wanted him to realize all the people home that loved and supported him. Those he couldn't see as well. Then Mike asked the Stake President if his mom could bear her testimony. Of course, THAT was fantastic. I love to hear her testify because the Spirit is so strong. Then Tyler bore his testimony. I have to be honest, I don't think I have seen Tyler cry since before he turned double digits. The Spirit was so strong in the room. He spoke of how he looked up to his uncles and how he sees the difference in their family lives of those that served missions and those that didn't. He also testified that he knew the things he was going to go teach were true or he wouldn't be serving a mission. He doesn't do anything he doesn't believe in (that is so true, he hasn't had a job FOREVER. He doesn't believe that work for money is a true concept.) :) After that our great Bishop bore his testimony. Such a great addition to that that was already shared. Then our Stake President bore his testimony. What a great experience for all of us there, especially those little ones to see that example and feel that example being testified.
Then the Stake Pres, Bishop LaDow, Mike and Grampa set Elder Nelson apart for his mission in Cuernavaca, Mexico. All in all, a great day for the memory.
That night we had a little open house for Elder Nelson. It was a Tie and Ice Cream party. We asked those that wanted to to bring a tie for Elder Nelson and write words of encouragement on it for him. Between the visits and the mailbox, I think he received 32 ties. He says that he can wear each tie 24 times and then he'll be home. I wonder how he'll keep track of that!? I know that it was such a great thing for him to see all the people that love and support him. It was a crazy and loud time in the barn, but a great memory for all of us.
The next morning we all got up and took off for Utah. Well, Nate flew out the night before, Matt and Corbin left that morning to drive back to Spokane to fly home and the rest of us left in a "semi" carivan for Utah. We arrived to Camie and Richard's house after about 10-11 hours in the car. Mykie was a sweetheart and made the trip a little less squishy by riding with Camie and Richard and trying to keep the kids happy on such a long trip. She's pretty angelic that way. Camie and Richard, who love me dearly, ordered pizza and breadsticks from Two Jacks Pizza. It was heavenly. Then we headed to bed for our early day on Tuesday.
The whole reason that we drove rather than had Elder Nelson fly down was because he wanted to go to a live session at the Salt Lake Temple. We met Alex there (Sunny couldn’t come because she was under the weather) to have him join us for the session. Jeremy, Mykalyn and Brigam were left on the streets to enjoy the sights and sounds of Salt Lake.
The experience was UNFORGETABLE. I was so glad that he thought of it and wanted to come so badly. It had been forever since Mike and I had been to a live session and it was full of richness and the reminders of our pioneer ancestors was strong. That temple is just incredible. I was so glad that Alex was able to join us for that really neat experience. Elder Nelson said, when it was over, that he had always wanted to go in that temple since he was a little boy. That was something I never knew.
When we came out of the Temple, the kids were waiting for us by the car. We were dealing with a SL parking ticket situation while the kids were sitting in the car when who should walk by but Elder L. Tom Perry. We adults didn’t approach him because we never really know what to do in that situation, but when I told Jeremy and Mykalyn they JUMPED out of the car and ran after him. Jeremy stuck out his hand and said, “Dude (yes, he said dude) I really appreciate your conference talks.” Elder Perry put his arm around Jeremy and said, “You know, sometimes I worry about those. Alright, you have a good day.” What a great experience.
That afternoon we went back to Camie’s to change, got a few last minute things for Elder Nelson’s mission and then to Tyler’s last supper. He chose to go to Tucanos. This is a place that has a great salad bar and then they bring all kinds of meat out to you. Things like chicken hearts (yuck, I wouldn’t even try that), talipa, pork, turkey wrapped bacon, filet mineon, tri tip steak, sirloin, tenderloin among others and a cooked pineapple. There was something for everyone.
After that we dropped the boys off at the mall while Mike, Mykie and I tried to see if 0% financing at Toyota was going to work for us. Long evening made short, it didn’t.
The next morning was “drop off” day. We HAD to do one last Krispy Kreme donut run before Elder Nelson was dropped off and we were off back to Utah. As we were driving to the MTC, I really didn’t want that drive to end. That was a sad trip up the street. As we got there, we were directed to the front where Mike, Jeremy and Elder Nelson went in to check in. He was told that he needed to say his goodbyes and bring his stuff in. That was uneventful.
We said our goodbyes and took some pictures. I cried, Brigam cried, Mike shed a few tears, Mykie teared up as well, Jeremy just said, “You are going to be so jealous of my strength when you get back home.” Funny boy. Before he left he gave Mike and I a paper that he had written on. On it was the major password we use for all our computers. He said he’d known what it was for a while now and just wanted to let us know that he knew. What a stinker!
After Tyler left, another memorable experience happened. To give some background, my friend DeAnn Merrell dropped off her Tyler at the MTC 10 months earlier, some older MTC worker guy approached DeAnn and told her to stop crying. He told her that she shouldn’t be crying because this is what she should have been looking forward to for the last 19 years. I thought that was so rude!! I had some choice things to say to him if he were to approach me. After Elder Nelson was gone, everyone else was in the car and I was situating the remaining stuff in the back of the Pathfinder when a older MTC worker guy approached me. He asked, "Where is your missionary going?" I smiled and happily replied, "Mexico." He said, "Oh.....tell him to be careful. They have a lot of gangs down there and they just beheaded 4 people." Um, what am I to say to that? I am a new missionary mom that just dropped off her precious baby to go to Mexico. "Thanks," I said, "I'll tell him." Really, I was at a loss for words on that happy note. On the other hand, my MTC drop off story tops DeAnn’s.
I was still a little "hydrated" after we left Elder Nelson. I was crying in the car. . I texted Pam and Uncle David and told them that we dropped him off and that I was still a little emotional so I couldn't talk to them. David called me about 15 minutes later, asked me how I was doing to which I burst into tears. After I could talk, he realized that we hadn't yet passed his work. He said, "Get in the slow lane, look down at my work and I will go outside and wave at you!" I said, "We'll stop by!" To which we did. What a blessing that was! While we were there, David had a friend/co-worker there named Juan. He was Mexican and actually KNEW Cuernavaca. He was so excited for Elder Nelson. He said, "Cuernavaca is called the City of the Eternal Spring because it was so beautiful and the temperature is so great." He went on and on about how Elder Nelson will love it and that he will be safe. It truly was a blessing after that beheading story. I think he still knows people and family there and commented about Elder Nelson getting to know them. Anyhow, the Lord loves Tyler’s mama and thank goodness for big brothers, they are a blessing.
We finally got home last night about 10:30 Utah time last night. It was pretty slow going when we passed Salt Lake. I guess that a full tanker got into an accident and spilled its contents all over the freeway. They actually had to replace asphalt on the freeway. That means they closed down the freeway and we had to be detoured around town a bit. That took a while, but after an hour for about two exits, we got back on the road.
Then we were at the gas station in Brigham City. We just finished with buying gas. The kids were asking for treats, we just pulled right out of the gas station and pulled over in front of a couple of cars on the side of the road. I was again at the back of the Pathfinder (maybe that's the "problem" area of the vehicle), I was handing the food to Mykie and the kids and digging in the bottom for water. As I am getting the last of the bottles for Dad and I, I saw this hand reach into the car from behind me towards the Krispy Kreme donut box. I look over at this really scroungy, dirty lady and say, "Oh, no, no, no..." She looked at me like I was a little crazy. I said, "Those aren't yours." I shut the back window of the Pathfinder and said, "Would you like a water?" She said, "No, I don't want a water." "Ok" I say. Then she said, "I would like a water though." So I handed her one and said, "There you go." Then she asked for a ride. I told her we didn't have any room, then she said, "Can I just squish in?" I told her that we didn't have any room and got into the car. Where I promptly locked the doors. That was a little freaky for me. She really came out of NO WHERE. Scary.
The drive was long, but we all looked forward to getting home and seeing Chloe. Mykie and I ran over to Peggy's to pick up Chloe. She was so excited to see us, she could hardly be contained, she was all over the place! Peggy said that she was a great dog. I think she enjoyed having an actual "lap dog" instead of 60 pound dogs that think they are lap dogs. It was so nice of her to help us out taking care of Chloe.
Like I said, it’s been an emotional 6 days and I don’t think it’s over yet. We got a message from the MTC that Elder Nelson is safe and sound and what his address was while he’s at the MTC for two months. I am just waiting for the written word from my boy. I am so proud of him and his choices, but I am still very well hydrated.
