August 2015

We as a family started the month of August off with service.  We all worked together on Saturday, August 1st and cleaned our ward building.  We worked hard and got our part done in no time.  All the boys dragged their feet walking down but once we all got busy it was actually a lot of fun.  Yep, I said that FUN.  Maybe it was just fun because I knew all my guys were with me and this was our last act of service together for 2 years.

One week later on August 8th, we all gathered at Blake & Tess' place to celebrate Ryker's birthday.  It was a nice afternoon.

 Timber ~ enjoying the party.  I seriously LOVE this girl

 The Leatherow Clan

 Colton volunteered to man the grill

 Blake

Batman AKA the birthday boy, Ryker.  This young man is full of character.  He is always busy and loves to make faces ~ they are usually mean faces but I can occasionally get a smile

Sunday, August 9th.

Colton gave his farewell talk in church.  He gave an amazing talk on how we can all remember why our covenants are important.  He did an amazing job.  He also pointed out that his mission is about 9700 miles from home.  He didn't shed a tear until the very end when he said it hit him that everyone he was looking at he would miss.  He took a minute to compose himself and finished his talk with the following statement, "what I am about do to will be hard but I will go and I will do and I will smile"  That statement has stayed with me and I think about it several times a day.  In fact it has somewhat become my personal motto.  Because life can be hard sometimes and sometimes I seriously just want to crawl into my bed but I use Colton's phrase and move forward with more vigor and faith.

After all the guests had left Colton began to pack his room ~ I wasn't prepared to walk into his room and see that.  I smiled but inside I was bawling like a newborn baby.

We shared a few words and he simply hugged me.  He told me to not worry he would leave the room clean so that G could move right in.  :)  

Tuesday, August 11th 9:00 PM

We gathered at the stake center for Colton to be set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I was so overcome with the amount of support that showed up for my boy!

Before we all gathered in the high council room we all posed for pictures with our favorite soon to be missionary

Wes wanted some of just him and Colt ~ and Wes was being goofy

The blessing that was given to Colton was amazing.  He will do amazing things in the Land Down Under

Once home Colton began to pack his bags.  Yep, he waited until the night before to pack just like his older brother. It was a special night with all of us gathered in the basement helping, giving last minute advise and just simply enjoying eachother.

And after a few hours…..

He is ready….Am I?
Ready or not the day is here
Wednesday, August 12th
We ate breakfast as a family at Jeremiah's before we headed to Provo.  We of course allowed ourselves some time to stop and take some photos at the Provo Temple

 Symbolic of them growing up?  

 Those are MY guys

 The sun was super bright this day

Extremely proud parents

The time moved way too quickly and it was time for us to proceed to the MTC to drop off our Elder.  I was amazed at the organization as we pulled into the MTC.  The number of missionaries answering the call to serve and leaving for their missions this particular day was overwhelming.  We pulled forward to our given numbered cone #21.  We all took a deep breath and opened the doors and stepped out to say our goodbyes.  I think I forgot to breath once I stepped out.  I was trying to hard to be strong for my Elder who was struggling so.  I hugged him tight but his return hug was one that I will never forget.  He hugged me so tight and quietly cried in my ear and whispered, "I love you mom"  I returned my love and assured him he could do this.  And that was that.  A young sister helped him take his luggage and away they went.

I post this picture as it was the only one I have from the MTC.  I don't have the look over the shoulder and wave picture because 1) Wes had his camera on selfie mode and 2) because I don't think Colt would have turned around.  But also as I look at this photo I am taken back.  That looks like Wes in the suit and Colt in the shorts.  But nope that is Colt in the suit and G in the shorts.  Crazy to me how much they look alike at times yet they are all so different.  Good Luck Colt ~ Australia is getting a great man and a piece of my heart.  

I arrived back at work on Thursday morning and walked into a box of Sunshine from my forehead sista, Celeste.

I also received a minky from Jenn, Stacy and Cindy.  Jenn told me to never under estimate the power of the minky.  To curl myself under it and cry and it would soothe me.  Boy was she right.  

Let me pause right here for a moment and express my love for my co-workers who I consider family.  They listen to my cry, my laugh, my anger and they even listen to a few cuss words.  They then in turn cry with me, laugh with me and sign up to kick someone's arse with me.  I have been blessed beyond measure in the friend department.  Thank you!

Moving on….

What time is it?  It is Friday Night Lights time peeps!  My favorite time of the year!  Garett has waited for a long time to take the field as a SCOT.  And Friday, August 21st he did just that!  He is proudly wearing the #53

The Scots opened the season with a home game against Richfield and we got a Win.  Garett saw some playing time in the fourth quarter.  It was a wonderful way to start the football season!  Congrats to the SCOTS on this win.  Now boys remember this feeling and do whatever is necessary to have a repeat feeling each and every Friday night.  Dig Deeper, Hit Harder and simply Play with more heart and pure  love of the game.  

Saturday, August 22nd ~ Weston wanted to have some sort of end of summer bash so he organized a giant slip and slide party at Rolling Hills park.  It was a riot.  Not as many peeps showed up as he had hoped but it fun nonetheless.  Thank you to Jessica Smith for the following pictures:

and a few that I snapped with my cell phone (truly no comparison but I will add them)

 The event organizer keeping the slide ready

And this is what your body looked like.  OUCH! (Logan)

Wednesday, August 26th.  The day my baby begins his high school career.  I simply can't believe how fast the years have flown by.  The planning of the first outfit is an event; even for guys or at least for my guys!  Here is my Sophomore ~ Check him out ~ 

Watch out BLHS here come G.  Always strive for excellence.  And remember a STUDENT athlete is one that goes far.   

Friday, August 28th ~ I took a day of vacation so that Tom and I could celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary.  Am I lucky or what?  This man is truly my best friend, my soul mate and all mine for eternity.  A few photos from way back when…engagement ~

To our wedding day ~

To present day

So what did we do to celebrate our special day you ask?  We drove to Price, duh!  Why Price?  Because that is where our football player was taking the field.  There is no better way to celebrate if you ask us.  Before we hit the road, my favorite football player came home for lunch and agreed to a photo with his biggest fan

We had some wonderful one on one time in the car

We ate dinner at Main Street Grill in Price ~ it was fantastic!

We were seated in a booth and the booth right behind ours was two elders enjoying some dinner.  It was so hard for me not to ease drop and simply find myself staring and hoping my elder was laughing and smiling as much as they were.  As they got up to leave we got their attention and I apoligized for my stalking eyes but explained we just had our elder leave for Australia.  They were nice and laughed and went on their way.

We then continued to our destination; Carbon High School, home of the Dinos.  We cheered loud, and our SCOTS went home with a W.  Two Ws in a row ~ I think we will celebrate the winning streak. Garett again saw some playing time in the fourth quarter.  Love watching him play.  

We then drove home and crawled into bed after midnight.  Happy Anniversary to us!

Sunday, August 30th, we attended the farewell of Colton's friend Zack C.  He gave an amazing talk and we then enjoyed a nice luncheon after.  Good Luck Zack ~ Wisconsin is getting one of Ogden's best.

And that is our month in a nut shell.  We have seen some amazing ups and even experienced some super lows but there is nobody I would rather ride this roller coaster with than, MY GUYS!