Life is funny. Last year at this time I thought my heart would never stop hurting. Destinee and Kade left on their missions, Tyler was getting ready to move out, and Kiana had girls camp for a week. I remember being all by myself for that week and thinking about what it would be like when my kids were all grown and gone. It will be different. A lot of my friends are now empty nesters. They love it. I sometimes wonder why. I gave up everything to be a mom. I quit school, gave up a career, and gave my life over to them. I don't regret one single moment. They have never disappointed me. I am sure I have made plenty of mistakes in raising them, but they are my life.
Today I feel very thankful that I live in the place I do. I am thankful for the freedoms I have. I am thankful that I did have a choice of religion, and that I did end up at BYU, and did finally read the Book of Mormon. I am thankful that I do have a testimony. I wonder what my life would have been like if I had a testimony in high school and had taken Seminary. I would have been so much further in my spiritual progression! And as much as I wanted to get out of Utah when I was younger, I am so thankful for my ancestors and their choices that placed me here. I love where I live now.
Today is missionary email day, at least it will be for Destinee. I am not sure if Kade will have P-day today, but I am guessing he will. He does email from the Apple Store, so maybe I will hear from him too. I love Mondays. I love hearing form my kids and having that connection for just a tiny bit of time each week. I love reading my facebook on Monday too and seeing all of the wonderful posts from my high school friends about their missionaries. I also love to share a bit of "missionary spirit" on my facebook for those friends and family who are not members, or who are not active members, or even for those who have recently become active.
We are doing a new thing for the 4th today. We are having Greek food. With my parents and sister's family in Hawaii, we decided to do our own thing. Tyler wanted to cook Greek food, so we are going with that. We have decided that we are making a new tradition, Ethnic Day. It may be on the 24th in the coming years, but will include the different dishes my kids have learned on their missions, or in language studies. Tyler had Greek food in Germany, and I am sure next year Destinee or Kade will want to contribute something from their missions. Destinee already has learned a few different cuisines. It will be a good day.
Happy 4th, and HAPPY MISSIONARY MONDAY!
