Farewell FHE

This is the last Monday before Josh leaves for COT (Commissioned Officer Training) in Alabama. We are really trying to keep our routine regular and predictable for our kids.  So, we had Family Home Evening like we always do. This time we focused the lesson and activities around the military and what Josh might be experiencing at training.  We watched one of our favorite Mormon Messages (www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages) Dare To Stand Alone.  We went to www.lds.org to look at the tips for military families.  They had some great suggestions about how we could keep in touch while Josh is away.  We decided that we would have Josh make us a chain of daily messages to be read so that we could count down to his return.  The kids and I wrote him small daily notes that he could put in his suitcase and be reminded of home daily.  "Pants" (code name for youngest daughter) drew lots of scribbles and had me trace her hand on every page.  Josh will have eight notes of a little two year old hand.  "Bub" (code name for our son) drew pictures of each member of our family.  They all looked pretty much the same to me but he seemed to know who each picture was and Josh will love it.  "Bear" (code name for oldest daughter) took more time and was able to write Josh some things that she loves about him.  She also drew pictures.  I wrote out some of my favorite scriptures and poems for Josh to read.  I hope that these messages will make him feel that home is not so far away.  I tried not to peek at the links that Josh made for us but I did have to tape them all together.  Josh took the time to make personal questions for the kids each day.  They will love such a visual reminder of his return home.  We think we will be able to converse through Skype while he is gone.  This will be a great resource because Bub and Pants don't really talk on the phone. It will be great for all of us to see Josh.

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From Mr. to Captain

Today Josh received his commission as a United States Air Force Captain. He was sworn in by raising his right hand, standing next to an American Flag.  He repeated the oath of office and signed lots of official documents.  We were lucky to have support from my mom, Josh's dad, and his grandmother.  The recruiter, Master Sargent Grant, told us that Josh has been very professional to work with.  He said that Josh's application was submitted past the deadline by mistake.  The three applicants from across the entire country were already selected.  Josh's application was reviewed at the specific request of Master Sargent Grant and was selected in place of someone else.  It makes us feel completely blessed and definitely in awe.  We have a lot to be grateful for today.

The Bittersweet process of moving

The other day I went to help at my son's Kindergarten class.  His teacher is my good friend as she is in our ward.  It was bittersweet talking with her about the process of our move.  When I walked out of the class, I started to wonder why the feelings of loss.  I had the distinct impression that my family would be missed.  This is because we have involved ourselves in this neighborhood and ward.  We have used our talents and skills to help others.  We have enjoyed our callings and the associations that they have brought.  We have hosted a summer talent show for the neighborhood which has brought laughter and good memories.  We have been involved in school and community events.  I have taught ballet, yoga, and Zumba in my home, a great convenience for my neighbors.  None of these things are extraordinary and many around us are doing the very same things.  It is ironic that involving ourselves in our neighborhood and ward is the very thing that makes it so hard to leave.  If we were to stay in our homes, never meet anyone, never share any talents or skills, it would be really easy to move on.  So even though this time of involvement is adding to heartache now, I would not trade it for the life of a hermit.  I will continue to treasure the memories that we have created as we move on to create new ones.  This is a picture of our family when we first moved to our Springville home, August, 2009.