not goodbye….See you 2

Monday night July 22nd I told Weston I would take him to the dinner of his choice…and for him not to think about price ~ this would be his last American meal for 2 years and I wanted it to be just want he wanted.  He really hadn't decided until he was cleaning out his wallet and came across a gift card that was stuffed in his Christmas stocking.  Santa Claus meant for it to be used as date money but he had never used it so he chose Outback Steakhouse in Layton.  Crazy kid!  We all had a great dinner the conversation was light and lots of laughs.  Weston of course chose a New York strip medium rare with french fries and a Coke.  :)

These are photos of the dinner… Tom was trying to get us all but we decided to ask our nice waitress to capture the night for us

After dinner we all headed over to the stake center, Weston had an 8:30 PM appointment to be set apart as an official missionary.  Josh, Jenn, Liam and Hadlee met us there as did Shane, Heidi, Kaelton, Mariah, Mckenzie, Matti, Mari and Karver.   Debbie, Josh, Landon, and Parker Winterbottom also joined us.  It was such an emotional experience for everyone.  The blessing that President Christensen gave to Weston touched on literally all of my fears and concerns for my son while he is away.  I hadn't really cried to too much until that night and then I literally could not stop the flood gates. 

There were several more photos taken that night ….I will edit this post when I get them. No one wanted to leave because we all knew if we went home we were that much closer to saying goodbye.
Not too many dry eyes at the stake center that night.
Once we were home we finished packing his suitcases and just chatted.  Josh, Kaelton, and Sterling all came over to visit (these 3 boys just couldn't leave his side ~ it was very touching)  We finally told Weston that he needed to sleep he had a very long day ahead of him.  His friends were more than welcome to stay but they needed to let Weston sleep.
We woke up about 4:30 to prepare to leave for the airport by 5:20 or so.  One last photo in front of the fireplace

The Taylors gave Weston this flag as a gift.  What an awesome family, one that our family really looks up to and loves.

I had told Wes that if Ster wanted to go to the airport this us that was fine just let me know and I would try to borrow a bigger car just for the morning.  I was never given an answer to I just assumed they would say their goodbyes at the house….WRONG!!!!!!  So we all piled in our Blazer, yep the Blazer made for 5 but 6 wasn't too bad.  As we backed out of the drive way Kaelton was fighting back the tears so Tom and I looked at eachother and knew what needed to done.  Kaelton too climbed in the Blazer made for 5 so now the 7 of us headed to the SLC airport.  The ride down was full of laughs followed by moments of silence and back to laughs.  I listened and fought back the tears.  Once at the airport, Wes was never without help.

When we finally made our way to the American Airlines terminal we were simply overcome with emotion as we witnessed literally 100s of other missionaries and their families saying their goodbyes.  It was an awesome sight.  The gospel is literally reaching all corners of the earth.  AMAZING.
We waited as long as we could but finally we had to let go..

Let me tell you real quick what these two men mean to my boy…… THE WORLD!

They are both his heros in so many ways.  They have seen Weston at his worst, at his best and at his in between and they have never stopped loving him.  Yep I can say love because they seriously love each other in a brotherly/best friend way.  I too love them and thank them from the bottom of my heart for supporting him as he leads the way.  Kaelt and Ster please know you will ALWAYS have a room here as well as an open fridge ~ please stop by and say hi to mom.  

Weston told us:

"it is not goodbye ~ it is see U in 2"

He makes 39 look GOOD

Tom turned 39 on July 6th.  He told me that this year's birthday presents would be hard to beat (and Father's day for that matter)  ~ he said for Father's day he was given the gift of being able to bless his oldest son with the Melchizedek priesthood and then the day before his birthday he was honored to be Weston's escort as he entered into the Brigham City Temple.  Yep, I would say he is right this year will be hard to beat…..good thing I don't try to out do; I just do.  :)
Tom had decided that since his birthday was on a Saturday he wanted to get up early and head to the hills of Logan.  We invited Chad, Breeze and their family to join us.  We gased up the vehicles and bikes in Perry and headed up to Left Fork for some riding.  The riding was fun.  The sun was HOT and the roads DUSTY but the company was top notch.  Besides there is no place I would rather be than riding behind the man of my dreams; being able to squeeze him whenever the need arised; being able to tell him secrets no one could hear; and just being able to take in the last ride as a family for a couple of years.

First stop Waterfall!

Dirty but o so happy

Next stop Ephraim Grave

We did stop several times to chat and take a sip of the beverage of our choice and so that I could snap some photos.

and of couse this is a Leatherow trip so we needed to get out the tools to fix one of the rides

Not to worry it was going in no time at all….the electric start went bad but having some muscles we just used the pull start and off we went.  

It has been several years since we actually reached the grave sight; we got talking and we think it was about 7 - 10 years ago ~ CRAZY.

a few more photos before we put the helmets back on and hit the road

The ride was quick and fun ~ now time to head for home and a SHOWER and don't forget Birthday cobblers.  :)

One last photo of the man, the myth, the legend…..Weston B…..his last ride on Hailey, the Honda, for a couple of years 

Check out the glove lines and the cherry nose courtesy of the sun

The ride was to worth it.

Tom couldn't decide what flavor cobbler he wanted for his birthday so he made all three….

Cherry Chocolate

Just Peachy

and my new favorite Raspberry Peach

Thank you to the Smuins for celebrating with us.  

Happy Birthday Tom.  I hope your day was filled with memories that will last a lifetime.  You are truly the love of my life, you could write the book on how to be the best dad and you are a true friend to all.  We are so lucky to have you in our lives and even more so because we get you for eternity.  Love you babe.

I Love to See the Temple

That was and probably still is Weston's favorite primary song.  It was one that he and I would sing together at night as I tucked him in.  I used to tell him he had been to the temple and that he was sealed to mommy and daddy but he of course doesn't remember that day.  Boy I sure do; just like it was yesterday.  I remember being not only nervous for myself but super de duper nervous for my baby.  Weston was a huge momma's boy, a daddy's boy or a grandma's boy and the thought of strangers taking him and watching him while I was at the temple was a bit overwhelming.  The sweet sisters at the temple took such great care and when he entered the sealing room….simply breathtaking.  I knew that instant that my family was all that mattered to me.  Fast forward from April 26th, 1996 to July 5th, 2013.

Weston and Kaelton knew that since they got their mission calls that they wanted to go thru the temple together.  It was crazy hectic at first and I needed to just chillax (so glad Heidi is so calm and collected and reminds me to breathe) ~ The boys were able to find a date that worked for both of them and the families ~ July 5th.  What a wonderful, emotional day.  One that as a mom you look forward to, you pray about will take place and one that you will NEVER forget.  Seeing your child dressed in white is beyond words.

They boys were super excited a bit anxious of the unknown and Weston, like everyone, was wondering how in the world do you get used to the garments.  :)  

The future missionaries and their dads as they walk thru the gate to enter the beautiful temple grounds

and of course a few photos before they go in ~ Heidi and I waited outside for a bit and chatted.  it was wonderful.

 After the session was complete we all gathered once again outside to snap photos of the family and friends who were able to enjoy this day with us.  It meant so much to the boys to feel of the love and support.

After we went to Bella's in Farr West for some dinner.  Garett told the waitress that we were celebrating Tom and Shane's birthdays as well as Kaelton.  It was a riot.  Since Garett was so cute, he sweet talked the waitress into giving the whole party their very own birthday dessert ~ 

This was a day that will forever be remembered.  Thank you to family and friends who were there to support Weston and Kaelton and for those that missed it; know we missed you.  

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER