Til we meet again Sister Allen

So we moved to Vegas two weeks ago. In the middle of packing for that, we were also getting Kate ready to leave on her mission to Argentina. 

Time line was this:she gets set apart as a missionary on the 24th of July (also Nora's birthday). Then Jeff and I take her to the mtc on July 26th. We drive back July 27th and we are out of our house in Ellensburg July 30th. Sound crazy? It was. 

She had her farewell, where she gives one last talk in church and bares witness of what she is about to go and do. And what is she about to go and do? Give all of her time and talents to teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Argentina for 18 months. In spanish. 

Before she was set apart as a missionary she wanted to go swimming one last time. Missionaries don't swim or go in the water for their entire mission. Even if they're in Hawaii. Or the Mediterranean. Or California. Or anywhere with water. 

Also I love this picture because all of my kids are together. I don't know when the next time will be. 

Kate was set apart by President Ron Gibb of our stake presidency. He is also the brother of my sister in law Amy. We have known him a long time and love him and his entire family. So it was a lovely thing to have him be the one to set her apart as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. When someone is set apart, they are given a blessing with guidance for what they are about to do. They are also given a charge to fulfill the commitment they have made.

It was really hard for me emotionally to be packing our house and also trying to pack her for 18 months. I had wished I could have spent more time devoted to getting her ready. Maybe it was better emotionally. It didn't feel like it at the time. So once we were out the door to drive her to Utah, it was nice to just focus on her. And to cry from time to time. 

Here we are at one of our favorite place. Costa Vida. Kate and Julia I love to eat yummy food together. All the time ha!

This is the basement parking of the MTC (missionary training center) in Provo. You pull up. Another missionary who has been there for a bit comes to help them get their stuff. They hug you goodbye quickly and then off they go. It was the happiest sorrow I have ever felt. So proud of her and glad she has chosen to be a missionary. So sad that I won't see her or hug her for 18 months. 

 Going....

Going....

Gone....

Its funny because I was alright at this moment. A little teary eyed. But excited for her. And I had just seen her so it didn't sink it. Its been almost 3 weeks. It has sunk in. In her entire life, I've never gone more than a few days without talking to her. It is surreal. The sacrifice by missionaries and their families is real. We wouldn't be willing to see her leave, and she wouldn't be willing to go without a firm testimony that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. It is too great a thing to ask of anyone if they aren't aware of the tremendous blessings for themselves and the people that will hear the gospel because of these young missionaries.

How many other groups of 18-22 year olds do you know that sacrifice 18-24 months of their youth serving God? Its normally a pretty selfish time of life (it was for me) and so to see them willingly serve and come home changed is a blessing I would never want to deny any of my kids just so I wouldn't have to not see or talk to them.

I love my daughter. I am so proud of her. In a year when Julia leaves on her mission, I will be proud of her. And in 3 years when Charlie goes I will proud of him. And over arching all of it will be a profound happy sadness as their mom. So if you ask me how Kate is doing and I start to cry, its not because anythings wrong. Its because everything is right, I just miss my girl.

For more information on what Mormons believe and why anyone would sacrifice like this, visit www.mormon.org and www.lds.org

Nora's 9th

I think that youngest children learn resilience younger than their older siblings. They get carted around to a lot more sports events, concerts and awards ceremonies. They spend more time in the car then their oldest siblings and with so much going on in a family of 8, and they learn to adapt pretty well. 

Case in point, Nora's 9th birthday. One month before we learned we would be moving to Las Vegas. And then two days after this picture, Jeff and I would be taking Kate to the MTC (missionary training center) in Provo. 

So here she sits, surrounded by boxes and chaos and as you can see from the pictures, she is still happy. Surrounded by her family, the people who love her most. And of course having your birthday list of Disney dolls come to life doesn't hurt either:)

I am so thankful that we received this little surprise we now know as Nora. She has been a gift of joy, happiness, easy going-ness, affability and just all around sweet, kind and fun.

Her birthday being so crazy was helped by the fact that she had a friend party, dessert with her grandparents and cousins who live in Ellensburg and then her "family" party with just us. 3 parties helps the bitter pill of moving go down easier I think:)

I can't believe she is 9. Seriously folks, don't take for granted the time your children are young. I know its hard, I know there is a lot of sleepless nights, poopy diapers and tantrums. Soak up every moment. There are new, just as wonderful times ahead of you, but those tiny babies, who just want their mommy go by all too quickly. I promise. I would shave my head for just one day with any of my children as 3 year olds again. And I would tell my younger self to not worry so much. They will all turn out just fine.

Happy Birthday darling Nora! thank you for being your bright, sunshiny self.

Charlie

 Charlie turned 15 this year. He has never been little. Always bigger than most everyone his age. But all of a sudden this year, he really seems like a teenager instead of a little kid. And we love him. He is awesome and larger than life.

And like most teenage boys, all he wants to do his eat. He is eating as I type this. He eats pretty much the whole time he is home. I can't even imagine the change in my food bill when he moves out. 

There has been a lot of growth for Charlie this year. He is maturing and recognizing what it requires to be a valiant son of God. Charlie is a powerful son of God who when he chooses, is a force for good. 

He is bright and intelligent and fun to be around. He is kind to his friends and accepting of everyone. He is a big goofball and when he wants, he is the best brother around.

Happy birthday big guy. We love you more than you love Doritos. 

I'm dreaming of a 90's Christmas

I love Christmas, decorating for Christmas, buying people presents for Christmas, baking for Christmas and so forth and so on. When Kate was a brand new baby I decided to make stockings for us. They were so cute and oh so 1997. But I didn't know they would one day be described as "1997". They were just cute and the decorating style I enjoyed at the time. As other babies came along I bought similar stocking kits so that I could make everyone else lovely "1997" stockings. But now, I have been told, "Mom, so many of your decorations are 90's". Yes my darlings, that is because THAT is when I made them. I have other, modern decor that I also love and what I end up with is an eclectic mix of items from 20 years of happy Christmas's that I can look at and love and be reminded of beautiful times in our lives. So the mantle is 2016, the stockings are 1997 and everything else is a beautiful mix of the two.

I love our sweet tree, and each and every ornament. Some are 20 years old, some are from the dollar store, some are precious others are not. But again, its just us somehow. I love looking at the beautiful photos of Christmas decor. White and silver and gold and burlap and vintage. It delightful. And maybe someday, as the kids grow up and take their stockings with them, and ask for the now "vintage" 90's decor for their own houses, I will do that.  Until then, its eclectic and mixed decades for this gal. 

Thanksgiving weekend

Now that Kate is at college, there are many times where confusion crosses our faces. We need a table for 8, no 7:( There was the realization that when a kitchen chair broke it was fine because it left us with 7 instead of 8. When we gather for family prayer it takes us a second to realize that we don't have an 8th person to wait for. The only time its not a problem is with the extra brownie;)

But for sure the one thing that we couldn't do with only 7 was go Christmas tree hunting. So with Kate was home for Thanksgiving off we went to our favorite spot. 

 However the very little snow in our usual hunting spot was a bit of a let down. The sleds and the gloves went unused in the back of the car. But it didn't keep these beautiful people from looking their best in their winter gear.

There was a lot of discussion about the size of the tree this year. I thought it needed to be tiny because of the spot I had planned for it. But Jeff and Anne Marie were determined, and maybe had a little premonition, that a bigger one would be fine. And it was, I moved some furniture around and we found a lovely place for it right in front of the window. Charlie also decided that it was his turn to put the angel on the tree. I don't think he realized that included a prime photo op. Gone are the days of dad lifting him up to reach the top. *sigh*

One of the things on our list to do while Kate was here was to hike Manastash Ridge. Its one of our favorite things to do, hers mine and Jeff's. The other kids are so so about it, so we let them sleep Saturday morning while the three of us went.

And last but not least, my first church selfie with my girl. She sat next to me all through church, just like when she was little, snuggled up and happy next to her mama. It was wonderful to have her in Sunday School and Relief Society with me. There are a few perks to her being an adult now:)

I am so grateful that my whole family was back together for the weekend. Its the little things that I really miss about having her here all the time: her relationship with her siblings, the way she does the dishes without me saying anything, the hugs, OH the hugs!! Kate gives such good hugs. So now the countdown til Christmas vacation and we are all together for 2 1/2 weeks! Bless my little heart but its good to be a mom. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Utahhhhh

The week after girls camp, we packed up the family and headed to Utah. 

1. To drop Charlie and Julia off at EFY. 

2. To spend the week doing fun stuff with the younger three kids.

3. To pick Kate up in between terms so she could come home for Nora's baptism. 

I was not a very good picture taker. That is sad. So my oldest three aren't in these pictures at all. Maybe Jeff took some. But he doesn't share. Just kidding. I didn't ask. 

 I did get a picture of Kate's dorm from the outside looking in. What is the point of that when there are no people in it? I have no idea.

We hiked the Y though, and I made sure to document it. Its a big rock Y on the side of the hill overlooking Provo and BYU. It felt like a million degrees. It probably wasn't. We just aren't use to being that close to the sun where we come from.

So breathtaking. I really do love Utah. I have lived there 7 years total in my life. And the place just holds a special place in my heart.

We also hit two great food places that our friends recommended. One had amazing philly cheesesteaks. And I don't even like philly cheesesteak.

 The other was Ruby snap cookies. Yum. Yum. Double Yum.

And finally this gal. We've been besties since 1992. And we don't look a day older. Ha! Ok, we don't look more than a year older. Ok,we don't look more than a decade older. Ok, well at least will always be young at heart:)

Things I wish I had taken pictures of:

-7 peaks water park with my family.

-Eden, Ut. Fun little town in the mountains. The lake was pretty great and our time share was beautiful and had the best pool ever. 

-Our friends Cindy and Fred. Two of the best people on the planet. Did I take even one picture? No. 

-BYU. Any part of it. Not counting Kate's dorm room looking in. 

-Kate!

-Charlie!

-Julia!

I love my family though and it was so great to have the 8 of us back together. Even for a little bit. How many more times will I be forced to say that the rest of my life? Don't answer that. 

Girls Camp 2016 Adventure Awaits

 Ah girls camp. The best place to be as a youth leader for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. Its made even better for me by the fact that I get to go with my girls. Last year I had Kate, Julia and Anne Marie, which was amazing. With Kate gone Julia and Anne Marie and I held the fort down and made our own memories. Which included the 2nd year hike. Anne Marie was a second year and Julia was a YCL (youth camp leader) over the 2nd years. So we went with her on her hike and had a great time.

Anne Marie rocked it again at repelling. She has an adventurous side that I adore.

Julia and her friend Hannah-I have no memory of what they are doing here. I think they are eating the fishy crackers that I always bring to camp. Funny how something like fishy crackers tastes sooooo good when you are away from home.

And the reality of girls camp. Tears. Some frustration. I locked myself in the walk in cooler and had a good cry. Then took a picture to send to Jeff so that he could get a glimpse of the affect a week away from home does to me;)

I work with two Rachels. This is one of them. The other one is equally awesome but I didn't get a picture of her sadly. These two make my life better, and more fun.

Anne Marie ran in the triathalon again this year. Her team came in 2nd, I think. But they were the 1st finishers of the all girl team. The first place team had a 6 foot 5 priesthood leader who did the running leg. So, sorry, but it doesn't count;)

And the day after camp, leaving straight for Utah for family vacation. It was an EXHAUSTING two weeks and I was glad to be home at the end of it. But super rewarding and fun. Can't wait til next year.