The Reality

So this morning we took Kevin to the airport. In theory, I was going to be fine. We had said our "see ya laters" last night after a couple of board games. I know without a doubt that he is doing what he should be doing. But reality hit this morning. Like a ton of bricks to my gut. In our unusual haste to get out the door this morning....I forgot my camera....of course. So I had Jo take a couple of pics with my phone. Not the idea going away pics....but it would do....right? Wrong. As soon as he walked through security and over to the side I could no longer go....it hit me. Those were the last pictures I would get of he and I together FOR 2 YEARS! Idiot!! He looked so grown up, so adult as I waved at him from behind the glass. He mouthed "I love you" and turned to find a seat to wait. I wanted to bang on the glass....WAIT....I'm not finished yet. I need more time.....then reality set in. I am out of time. I did what damage I could and now he is in the Lord's hands....for real. Kevin gave a talk in church on Sunday. He did pretty good. On the way home he pointed out that he was kind of bummer because he had forgotten to say one of the most important things he wanted to mention. I told him to pretend we were back at church and tell us. He said that when he had his first interview to be a missionary back in March, the Stake President asked him why he wanted to go on a mission. At the time he really felt his answer was ok....basically a seminary answer right out of the book. As the months have gone by he has reflected on that question a lot. He wanted to share his new answer with everyone at church. He told us that the reason he chose to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is to give back some of what he has been given. He has realized how lucky he is to know that Jesus Christ is his Savior and that through the Attonement everyone will have the chance to live with our Father in Heaven. He wants to help others build an eternal family like the one he has. He feels so lucky to be able to tell people about the good news in the gosple of Jesus Christ. He went on to say that he would feel very ungrateful if he let this opportunity to serve the Lord slip away. Giving up 2 years of his life, time with his family and time in school, seems like a small price to pay for all that he has been given. wow. I do wish he had shared that in church....but I am so grateful that he shared that with his Dad and sister and I. He is such a great guy. My heart breaks at the thought of dealing without him for 2 years. I will treasure our late night (9 p.m.) talks and our Uno games. I will miss his ability to make me laugh at myself when I am being ridiculous and his sweet and genuine smile. But how can I feel too sorry for myself when he is being so selfless. I will tell you that I have cried....a lot....today. But I do expect it to get easier and I look forward to the New and Improved Kevin that the Lord sends back to me. He was so excited to get his name badge, identifying him as a diciple of Jesus Christ, that I think he would have walked to Provo if it had been required. So, the reality is, I am missing him more than I ever thought possible. But would I change a thing....no.

It's a Jungle In There!!

Well, let me just first say....that I am officially crazy. No, no....it's true. Whichever mad woman came up with the insane idea to paint zebra stripes on her daughter's bedroom walls needs a padded room. Did you know that people with OCD (even mild forms) should not....I repeat....should not paint zebra stripes?

Did you know it causes them to obsess over every minute detail and text their family and friends a million times asking their opinion?
I am happy to say that I like the way it turned out very much. I also think it looks better in person. Poor Jo! She has to wait for her birthday to get her fabulous new bedding.
Until then she took the twin bed from the guest room and put it in her room....just for now. Sorry, Steph!! You'll be sleeping on the floor. tehehehe

You can tell that every picture is just a little different. There is just something about standing in a room starring at stripes all day that makes a woman a little nutty. Pretty soon I was adding a thicker stripe here and a swirl of black there. I tell ya, I just don't know how Michael Angelo did it. Years....I so couldn't do it....craziness....
So there is the temporary bed....under all the too-big-for-it bedding. If she is happy.....I am happy. You should come see it. It is amazing....ish

While The Cat's Away...

Yes, while the cat's away the mice will.....paint. That's right, you guessed it. Jim is in Chicago...again. But oh, the fun we have!! Jo has been wanting her room painted ever since we moved in (2 years...wow...time flies). But we have never been able to compromise on a color palette....until now. In the last semester of her freshman year (yikes) she took a design class. One of her assignments was to design her "dream" bedroom. To my surprise, she didn't pick anything with skulls or weirdness. As a theme she went with a cute (very bright) purple and zebra stripe bedding set. She did a really good job and even asked for the bedding as a birthday gift. huh...So I started mulling it over in my tired, little brain. Sure...we could do that....zebra stripes....yeah...So as soon as Jim left on Wednesday we started to move out the furniture.

We had to stash some in the bathroom too. Man this kid has a lot of junk!! And then we had to paint all the walls a bright shade of white. It was 3 coats worth of "Are we done yet?" and "I hate painting"...well duh, guys....I don't love it either....well, maybe I do!! tehehehe
I don't love the taping, though...ick.
Kev had to use a hammer to get this curtain rod down. Some idiot used 4 inch nails to secure it to the wall!! Now, that's what I call kid proof!!
Ah, white paint. Next post...the stripes...

Odds And Ends

So here are just a few of the summer time activities that I have been enjoying that I haven't had time (or I was just to lazy) to blog about.Not only did my Dad feed the geese....he was the goose whisperer. tehehe It was really cute. These baby geese were very happy to be fed and treated so kindly.
These are the baby cormorants. These white birds have such cute babies!! But MAN are they loud!! I didn't even notice that there were babies in those nests until......SQUAWK!!!
We went to the temple in Bismarck with Kevin. Cool. Yep.

Tea for Ten...the unofficial party for my birthday. I invited my little girlfriends and their Moms. We had fabulous lemonade and yummy cookies and lemon cupcakes with delectable pink frosting. We had a beautiful sun shiny day to hang out. There was some sidewalk chalking and giggling and a little time for visiting.
Of course my best little (non-related) girlfriend was there. Miss Kamiryn even wore her tea party finest. She really is fabulous. I'm sure we were friends before we were born.
My favorite related little girlfriends were here in June and July. Man I miss these girls....and their Moms. On a family note....say a prayer for my brother. I just got a message from my sister. Travis is in Seattle today waiting for a risky surgery. They started it once today and something went wrong and they had to stop. So now we get to wait for the docs to figure what went wrong and they will try again tomorrow. STRESS!!!
Brook and Lacey and Jo are the 3 amigos!! Such funny girls!
This is the Palmer family. Ms. Jackie and I have been friends for years. She decided that since I seem to spend all my time with my sisters when I visit Idaho....she would come to MN. We had a fabulous visit for an entire week!! I love her (and her family) so much. I so appreciate her driving all that way to come visit little ole me.

A Girl Named Lacey

A little back story on Lacey. When she was born, her Mama was working and not because she liked her boss...zippy. So guess who was living only a mile away?? You guessed it...Aunt Larry (of course I had yet to earn that moniker). I got to babysit my sweet baby Lacey. She became my little buddy. Jo was in kindergarten so in the morning Lace and I did all sorts of fun things. I was VP of the PTA at Kevin's school (across the street from our house) and Lacey was our unofficial mascot.
She went with me every where. A lot of people thought I must have had another kid. Close...but better. This one went home most nights. I treasure the time Lacey and I got to spend together. But just like all good things...it came to an end. Miss Kim decided to move her little family to Victor, ID. It felt like a million miles away. I missed both of them so much.
I have a pretty close relationship with Lacey. She is ten now and I definitely have spent the most time with her over my other nieces and nephews. I miss her...and I am so happy that she is old enough to come with Grandpa when he makes his way this direction.
She had never been this close to geese before and wasn't too sure she wanted to be that close at all. We walked around the lake and showed her the turtles and the baby geese and ducks.
We had fun feeding them and visiting. She is very sweet. It is fun having her around. She always wants to help out. And if there is anyone wanting to play a board or card game all they have to do is find her. She is always up for it. So, I guess what I am trying to say is....everyone needs a Lacey. I don't know how you all manage without her. I know I can't.

Flowers

I am sending some flowers to my sisters. Why? Is there any special reason? No. I just felt like they might need a reminder of how fabulous they are. They are each facing personal struggles this week. Michelle is back at work....and her new baby is at Miss Connie's. As far as daycare/pre-school providers go Miss Connie is the bomb.com. But I have a feeling Michelle would rather be home with her precious kidletts than any place on earth.Kim is dealing with another lifestyle change. One that is giving her much grief. I just want her to know that I love her and I pray for her every day.
Both of my sisters are very special women. They are strong and independent. They are as unique as these flowers and just as beautiful. I am lucky to have sisters for my best friends. I thought that every set of sisters shared the same intense bond that we have. Unfortunately that isn't the case. I now know that our friendship is as unique as each one of us.

Our Mom did something right. Somehow she gave us the glue that has cemented us together for eternity. I am truly blessed.

Another Class

Just to let you all know....I am still alive. I am still sore...more than ever. But this morning I got out of bed and went to class. Not only did I show up....I worked out. I still used weights and I still tried to look like I wasn't actually dying. My good friends keep telling me that it will get better. I really hope so. I know it will all be worth it in a month or two. I just have to stick with it. Not something I am known for. But luckily for me I am pretty stubborn when I want to be. I don't want ANYBODY to be able to say..."I knew you wouldn't keep going". I am going to try to use humor to stay motivated and keep things in perspective. I can do this. I can.