Yesterday I did the Color me Rad 5K.  What is it?  I'm not really sure myself.  You meet at the Salt Lake City Public Library.  You wear a white shirt, you start at 8:00 with 100's of people you start running/walking and you get chalk dust thrown at you at various stations throughout the race.  And it's all for a great cause for the arts, I guess.  I was really quite fun.  Mainly, I did it just because I can.  I've been doing this trying to get in better shape and health thing for what seems like forever.  But I can say that it is so much easier.  Today, I don't even feel sore.  That's a great accomplishment.  We really didn't even run that much, but we walked pretty fast, and we got really messy, and it was fun.  I went with two gals from work, Brianne and Lacee.  Next year we are going to try and convince more to go and the real test is in September the Dirty Dash...that's the real fun.  Here's great picture to show what it's all about.  It really was a great way to start the day.

Well, with Stetson leaving and Bridger returning I decided it was time to take family pictures one last time as a family of five.  Who knows what two years will bring.  It may bring nothing, it may bring change, but for now we will document what our family is at this point in time.  I am so proud of my boys.  They are great young men.  All of my life I just wanted to be a mom.  I hope that I have done my Father in Heaven proud.  They have learned how to work hard, to serve others, to be kind, to honor their priesthood and to make wise and good choices.  They are normal boys too, don't be fooled.  They have given me days where I was glad the day was over.  But, I do miss those carefree days of going to the park, the pool, the zoo or just playing in the backyard in our kiddie pool and watching the hours pass by.  I was never one who wanted my kids to grow up or wish it away.  It goes by so quickly.  I know to everything there is a season.  And that's ok, but, sometimes, I do miss it.  I am so blessed, and I realize that on a daily basis.  Especially when I look at these pictures that hang on my walls.  Enjoy...

Well, it's done.  Elder Clayton is there.  Wednesday we loaded up his bags and headed down to the Provo MTC for him to start his journey as he begins his mission.  I had such a hard time holding back the tears.  I think to be honest it was just too fresh in my mind after just getting one home.  To send another so soon is so difficult, and yet he is so excited and ready.  How could I not be happy for him.  You will see by the look on his face that he knows this is what he has prepared so hard for.  We will pray for him every day and watch as he grows in faith and stature as we witnessed the growth in Bridger.  It truly is remarkable and an incredible thing to witness, but still hard.  I love these boys and it is so hard to not be able to hear their voices and text or call them whenever I want to.  However, I certainly would not want them to not go.  This is what you teach them their whole lives.  They have listened to stories from their dad, grandpa, uncles and cousins of their mission experiences and now they can have their own to live and tell that will affect the rest of their lives.  Here's some of the pictures of the drop off.  Now the countdown begins.  To be honest, I think I just didn't want to have to start all those firsts over again, but it's all apart of it.  I'll be just fine...

 This is the hardest thing of all...

This hug has to last two years, I had a hard time letting go...I'm not going to lie...

There he goes...

Sending Another

 Stetson had his good friend Bishop Sansom take his missionary photos and as I was there, he said let's get some of the both of you.  Not the best day for me due to my flat iron dying that morning, but oh I'm so glad I have this treasure.  I love this boy!!!  He is the sweetest and most caring young man.  And is going to be an amazing missionary.  I know that when I am missing him, I will look at this picture and know that he is happy.  This is what we teach them to do.  And he will come home a totally different person than he left.  And, I guess that's ok.  Good luck Elder Clayton, Heavenly Father will bless you and us while you are away.  However, I can still miss you like crazy!

 

How could anyone turn down this smile???



Many have asked to see the video of his return at the airport. Click on the link, Welcoming him home, then enter the access code:  elderclayton   Here it is:

Welcoming him home!

I'm so glad we did it.  Worth every penny.

Enjoy...

Elder Holland says it BEST!

I have always loved Elder Holland and the messages he shares.  This is one of my all time favorites.  It was given at a time when I had lots of changes in my life and was hoping and wondering if it would all work out.  It's true.  Trust in God and believe and good things will come.  Sometimes our prayers are answered in messengers.  This was one of those times.  

Thank you Elder Holland for knowing exactly how to put it.

General Priesthood Meeting

Twice a year I kind of wish I had a daughter.  Wayne and all the boys go out to meet up with his dad and attend the General Priesthood Meeting.  They always have dinner after and so from about 5:00 - 9:30 I have the house to myself.  I have gone to dinner with friends before with other moms of all boys and it's fun.  But this year I decided to just hang  out with myself.  And to be honest, it wasn't too bad.  I went and washed my car, picked up a pizza at Robintino's and then home to finish my work.  After I decided to watch a movie, Les Miserables.  It was a perfect night.  One day I'm sure I'll have daughters to share this evening with and start new traditions, but until then, I'm really not complaining.