Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Kayla! It was fun to have her home after missing her last two birthdays. Jaisha made her cake and Kayla chose her colors and it turned out just perfect! Funny how Kayla feels so old at 23...cause she is really so very young. Her birthday fell on a Saturday and she and I went down to listen to Kayla's Hero - Sheri Dew!! She was speaking at a conference there and she even had the chance to shake her hand. Sister Dew is so amazing and the trip down was definitely worth it! I just had to give her a little book as a memory.

Probably the most exciting gift of the day was her little notebook/laptop. Seems like kids just can't function in college or society without the internet. When I told her she had the web-cam, she started to cry! She now speaks/see's her converts in Italy!! Best of all its free! She really misses them.

Another White Envelope Day!

                                 The time came for Jarom to send in his mission papers so out to the backyard we went to get an official looking mission picture because his Senior picture didn't have the right tie. Jarom really doesn't like getting his picture taken, so this was a last minute thing. Strange how he can live with me his whole life and yet not be used to getting his picture taken don't you think? He sent his papers in just after General Conference and we started guessing where he would be going. We didn't even get close!

The postmaster called me at work and asked if I wanted her to put "The White Envelope" in my home mailbox or deliver to me at work...Hello!!! So I waited for her out by my work mailbox for her and yes, when I read Elder Jarom Jay Wilcox I cried...just a little! I took a picture of my excitement and sent the text to Jarom and Jay  and said "Hurry home"!  The rest of the day that envelope sat on my desk tempting me.....

Jarom came home from Snow and we waited for Dad to get home from work.......

Finally!!! Everyone is home and the camera's are ready.......Jarom moved  so very slowly just to tease us!

Very slowly and carefully he starts to read his letter trying not to just skip it and read the where....then he reads  Toulouse, France Mission!!!!

 Seriously??? There was much screaming, laughter and Wow!!!! Nobody even came close to France.....Jarom was so surprised! He enters the MTC July 28th.

Just a little background, the standing joke between Dad and Jarom is the standard throwing up the arms and saying "I Surrender"!!!! Ya, Jarom really use to tease Kayla about her obsession and love of Paris and anything French, which now of course is completely replaced with Italian! He just made fun of anything French!! Hahahaha!! He looked at me and said, "Well, someone has a sense of humor!" We just cracked up!!!

Needless to say we are so Very excited for Jarom. His mission borders Italy on one side just next to Kayla's first area of Torino. His mission is the South part of France. Can you just picture Jarom speaking French?! Jarom took his mission papers back to school with him so I don't have the official map but his mission includes Monaco and I think cuts over to the other side just above Bordeaux. I'm thinking he is going to have some humidity! He struggles with heat/humidity, but all I wanted was for him to be able to drink the water and not to have any fighting going on! I find it amazing how all day with the envelope staring at me and my stomach had little nerves of anticipation and worry about where my Son will go for two years, and when the words were read, Toulouse, France my insides calmed down and I felt peace with his destination. The Lord really helps me, how else could I let my children go so far away?! Of course I would be so sad if they didn't take this opportunity to serve and grow.

♥Homecoming♥

After a couple of nights of basically no sleep the morning of Kayla's homecoming dawned sunny and early! Church at 9:00 am seems so early to me, so we were really touched by those family and friends that traveled to share this day with Kayla. You are all Awesome!! As promised, Kayla spoke of missionary experiences and bore her testimony in Italian! So amazing how she can talk even faster in this language than English... After the meeting we had a lunch at the Legion Hall. Thanks to all who brought food and helped. My friend Lorna always has my back. I even called her that morning in hopes she had more noodles for my pasta salad and of course she did, cooked them and added to my salad. Thanks Lorna, luv ya♥ I have found I don't really know how to judge how much drink is needed at a gathering...I always run short. Brandon and Melody came through for me and ran to the store for more sprite and kept the drink filled. I am blessed with great friends♥ Of course my family on both sides are so amazing too. The pictures I've posted were taken by Carrie Morris, I appreciate her for taking them, I was too busy mingling to take pics. Can I say that the chocolate cake made by Sara tasted just as good as it looked!  It was an enjoyable day, family, friends, good food and alot of laughter :)  Beginning the day listening to Kayla and feeling the special Spirit still lingering with her that only a Missionary has and I say it's a little bit of Heaven on Earth!