The beautiful Oregon Coast

Every once in awhile we just have to get away.  One of our favorite places is the Oregon coast.  This year it was just Kiana and Ty that were able to go with us, since Destinee and Kade are on missions.  We usually like to follow the Columbia River and this time was no exception.  along the Columbia River we stopped at a rest area.  From it you could see an Island, Memaloose, Island of the Dead.  the Indian Peoples of the Columbia River placed their dead in cedar vaults on this Island.

Our next stop was Fort Stevens, where we visited the remains of the shipwreck, the Peter Iredale. It was  an English sailing ship that ran aground during a storm in 1906.

The 800 Club

Today I stopped by the UPS store to drop off a package for Kade.  He has been sick, and also needed a few things like more athletic socks, his Spanish dictionary, and more cough medicine.  I only paid 3 dollars for two packages totaling more than 8 lbs.  Pretty good.  If I had kept them under 4 lbs, it would have been free, but we kind of threw in some treats.

The gentleman at the store and I were chatting, and I mentioned that I had a daughter in the Guatemala MTC also (too bad a package there isn't cheap).  He said, "Oh, you are a member of the 800 club."  I was like, what????  He then proceeded to tell me that, copying the Christian 700 club, LDS parents that have 2 children serving are in the 800 club.  Get it?  We pay 800 dollars a month--lol.  Well, every penny is worth it!  And a lot of parents mention that in the end it is cheaper than having them home.  I don't know about that, but we do have less people in the house.  We will see if the bills go down.

One thing that I am struggling with is learning how to cook for 4, soon to be 3.  I make way too much food.  Kade ate a lot I guess.  And he never gained weight!

Another thing that has changed is that we got a dog.  I wasn't sure we wanted one, but apparently the majority of the "we" did.  He is a cutie, and he is fun, but puppies are a lot of work!

Emails from my missionaries is always good

Yeah, it is P-day for my kids.  It is always fun to hear from them but I wish they had longer to write.  It never seems like I am getting all of the information I want to hear.  I keep thinking, "where are the details".  And then for some reason, something tells me there really are no details.  They go to classes, have companion study, self study, meals, etc.  Maybe it will be better when they get out in the field.  Until then, I am glad I still have my album with every single one of Tyler's letters home when he was on his mission.  It is kind of fun to go back and read them after so many years.  Okay 4 years, well almost.

Anyway, both kids are doing great, are very happy, and that is all I can ask for.

Email from my kids, well kind of.....

After the longest week of my life, I finally received email from Destinee and Kade.  For those that don't already know, the 1st week of your kids in the MTC is the LONGEST--for the parents.  We hope, we pray, we miss them terribly.  You wait every day for that first letter or email, that will tell you when their P-days will be so you can at least schedule your wait time.  When it finally comes, you feel like it is the most glorious Christmas ever.

Destinee's email came at around 1 pm, just before my daughter and I got home from the movies.  We were so excited.  Destinee went into detail, as much as she had time for, and said she was sending a snail mail home.  We found out about her companions, how she is eating, and how many times she has seen her brother, her trip to the Temple.  She mentioned that she had very little time to write, and yet she managed to say a lot.

On the other hand, Kade's email came around 11 am, again while we were gone, and his included a response to my email asking if he needed anything, and a response to an email I sent asking for his passwords.Wow, the difference between boys and girls is obvious here.  Boys, your moms need a little bit more information!

So, hearing that a snail mail will be coming from Destinee, and HOPING one will be coming from Kade, I will be anticipating mail today.  I guess my mailman is used to my reactions, since he did witness and hand deliver their calls........

Missing my kids

I was so blessed to be at peace last Wednesday.  I had prayed for it.  I didn't not want to cry, or leave the MTC in a bawling fit, and I didn't.  I was fine...until Thursday.  Thursday I was alone most of the day. It was then that it hit me.  I tried to keep busy, looking all over for a sister missionary countdown, switching beds in Destinee and Kiana's rooms, and catching up on housework.  I miss my kids.  I really miss them.  I know they are happy, and I am rereading Tyler's letters to reassure me.  And that has been good.

Oh yeah, we started the puzzle tradition.  When Tyler left on his mission we set up a table and did jigsaw puzzles while he was gone.  Last night we set up the puzzle in Destinee's room.  We are doing Temple Square at Chistmas.  I don't know why we started this, but I think it helps to be in their room and do something where you can think.  Our rule is that only spiritual music or talks can be listened to in there.  Hmmm, I feel like working on the puzzle.....

Going to the Temple.........

Part of the missionary experience is going to the Temple before you leave.  It is a wonderful experience, where you get to be at your son or daughter's side and actually learn from the beginning all over again.  I learned a lot.  I learned that I need to go more often.  I learned that thinking about two kids going through for their first time can throw our train of thought out the window........I learned that my kids are definitely spiritually ready.

It was nice spending the day with Destinee and Kade.  This past week it has hit me pretty hard that they will both be gone and that I will miss them terribly.  Yes, I know I am blessed beyond measure, and that a lot of parents wish they had one kid going on a mission.  Having two going is really a blessing.  It is just hard for moms to let go......

time flies

Wow, we really don't have much time to prepare these two missionaries! I just returned from a 1 1/2 week trip to the Netherlands and now it is time to get busy. I need to sew a skirt or two, do a LOT more shopping for Destinee, and we get to go to the Temple soon. I finally found my first Temple dress and it fits Destinee, and she really likes it--yeah! Drue found a pair of Temple pants for Kade and so we are on our way!

A lot of emotions are stirring up inside me today. I am suffering from jet lag, and really realizing the changes happening in our lives. Not only are we sending two missionaries, but our oldest is planning on moving out after graduating and going on to Graduate School. He accepted BYU's offer so he won't be far, but he won't be here either. It will be a big change for our family, but I am so proud of the choices my kids are all making!