Farewell Mom & Dad!

The month of June was one continual farewell party for my parents before they left for their mission last week.  My dad is the new mission president of the Arizona Mesa Mission (Spanish speaking) for the next three years.  For those not familiar with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its missions, the Arizona Mesa Mission is one of 405 missions (geographical areas) around the world to which young men, young women and Senior couples are assigned as missionaries to serve for an 18 - 24 month period. There are currently 69,000 missionaries serving from the Church worldwide, and that number will increase to 85,000 by the Fall of 2013.  Of those 69,000, about 175 are currently serving in the Mesa Mission.

The weekend of June 8 we traveled up to Idaho for a farewell party with my parents' close friends and family.  Aside from the party we went boating at Lake Lowell, cheered on nephews at a soccer game, played on the slip and slide in the yard, checked out Natalie and Scott's new home, and went swimming at the Price's (my sister in law's parents' home).  Not to mention yummy food and homemade treats all weekend long.  Matt had to go back to Utah Sunday to travel for work, so Benson and I stayed a few extra days to "help" my parents pack (which turned into more like: pack for two minutes and help Benson for half an hour, then pack for two more minutes and take care of Benson for another hour - OR - I pack for half an hour and my mom takes care of Benson).  Ha ha!  I guess we weren't much help, but it was so fun to be with Mom, Dad and cousins for a few extra days.

This was only the second time Benson has worn this "12 month" size swim shirt.  Unbelievable that it is the same size as the swim shorts!  I guess we need to be buying 18 month tops and 12 month bottoms.  

A "quick" stop at King's Pro Tire shop on our way to Lake Lowell to repair a flat tire on the boat trailer - after driving on it while flat for about 7 miles, as evidenced by the photos!

Learning to wake surf...

More boating...

Swimming, parks and unbeatable Idaho sunset from Mom & Dad's front porch.

The next party occurred a few days later when the whole family came down to Salt Lake to be present for when my parents were "set apart" for their new calling, a Priesthood ordinance in the Church where you receive authority, direction, and blessings to fulfill a new assignment.  Dad was set apart by Elder David Bednar, an Apostle for the Church, and Mom was set apart to be a full-time missionary by Elder Tad Callister, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy.  It was an unforgettable experience to participate in that special day.

The next Saturday morning we picked up Mom and Dad from the airport and drove them to the Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC) where they stayed for the next week to receive training.  It was a quick drop off in the parking lot, and quick goodbyes, but we did squeeze in a photo before leaving!  They left from the MTC for Arizona on Thursday and we have missed them terribly already, but know they are doing great things in Mesa!

Happy Father's Day, Matt!

Benson and I had fun celebrating our AMAZING husband and father yesterday!  Because we were getting together with Matt's family for dinner, we had a delicious breakfast (no, Matt didn't drink the root beer for breakfast! Though I'm sure he was tempted).  I couldn't have dreamed up a more wonderful father than Matt has been for Benson!  We love you!

Father's Day Gift

I found a fun idea on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/pin/95560823315000027/ (one of the few I've followed through with from the thousands I've pinned...) and decided to tweak it for my dad for Father's Day this year.  The original used the letters D-A-D with the kids holding each letter. Instead, I wanted to create a collage with the word GRANDPA and have each of the grandchildren holding one of the letters.  Only one problem - there are only six grandchildren, and to my knowledge no one is expecting another (anyone want to fess up before Sunday?).  So, since my parents will be serving a mission speaking Spanish for the next three years, we thought ABUELO would be appropriate for their new home.

I am no expert when it comes to photography, but Natalie and I had fun taking the pictures and Matt rescued us with Photoshop.  Some time I will post all the comical bloopers we encountered - they are comical.  Natalie will assemble them in a black rectangular frame and give it to Dad on Sunday, so we will update this pic with the final after she assembles it tomorrow!

Memorial Day Weekend

What a great weekend!  I just finished up a long couple of weeks providing training up in Park City. Lisa and Benson came to stay in the hotel at the Canyons a couple of the nights that we were up there and took advantage of their swimming pool.  Benson apparently loves the water!  This last weekend has been a great relaxing weekend and an opportunity to spend it with friends and family.

Steven Update
Steven entered the hospital mid-week last week.  In 9th grade, he was hit in the back while playing football.  This early injury caused temporary paralysis of the legs which he quickly recovered from.  Since then, Steven has been fighting back pains and the injury flared a couple of years ago while Steven began his mission training in the MTC, precluding him from being able to get to his assignment in Santiago, Chile.  At that time, he received some light rehabilitation and consulation with some very good doctors who recommended that he avoid surgery at all costs.

This week, something happened and Steven was admitted to the ER at Utah Valley Medical Center.  After several doses of morphine and, later, the hospitals 'most potent pain killer' - he remained in severe pain.  After MRI and CT-scan results were received, two things were obvious - 1) a disc in his lower back had shifted and was putting significant pressure on his spinal cord, and 2) due to the loss of feeling in his lower body, he was not aware that his bladder and filled to 5 times its normal fill limit (which was the actual cause of his severe pain).

With miraculous intervention, the right people were available in the very hour that Steven needed them most.  A blessing was given and Dr. Reichman (renowned neurosurgeon) was able to perform surgery that same day. This is the same doctor that Steven waited 8 months to see because of how busy he is!  He has been in the hospital now for a week and a half.  Last Tuesday, the day after memorial day, he was admitted into the hospital's rehabilitation center where he is re-learning the basics of getting in and out of bed and walking.  With time, he will regain his strength and feeling, but it may be a long road.

We have been able to get down to Provo to see Steven a few times now.  He is so optimistic and so outwardly appreciative of the wonderful people about him as well as his Father above who has guided much of this process.  On Friday (24th) we were able to see him for the first time.  Then, Memorial Day evening, we went down and had a BBQ with the Ririe Family and finished the night playing Scattergories in the hospital with the poor guy.  Lisa and I were able to go down and visit again last night and watch Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals (NBA).  We are hoping for his discharge from the hospital on Tuesday (June 4th).  What a trial.  Thanks Steven for being such a great example of optimism and gratitude!

Playing Scattergories in the Hospital with the Ririe Gang.

Other Memorial Day Weekend Activities:
The Sunday before memorial day weekend, we took a quick stroll through the local cemetery.  They do such a beautiful job and there seemed to be flowers at every headstone.  At the entrance of the cemetery, there were 40 flags nicely arranged with a small plaque to commemorate every Utah soldier who has died in the war on terror.  We are so blessed to be in this incredible country!  We often take the freedoms that we have for granted - but on this day, the memory of all those who have laid down their lives so that we might have a better one - those freedoms become so much more real.  Thank you to all those who have served and are serving in the armed forces!

Memorial Day at the local cemetery.

As a part of the weekend, we setup our Tent in the backyard for a fun 'camping trip.'  We used the long-exposure capabilities of our camera to try to test out our ability to draw with flashlights.  We started out with some words - then moved to an advanced drawing of a camper roasting a marshmallow from his adirondeck chair.  My brother Mike did something similar a long time ago and this was our best try at copying it in 15 seconds.  It was a lot of fun!

Playing with Light and Cameras.  BYU, Stickman, Camper roasting marshmallows, Love, Mountains, and the Next Morning

Camp Kostopulos

Yesterday was friends and family day at Camp Kostopulos.  Matt, Benson and I went to visit Bryan who is working as a group leader there for the summer.  The camp is located a few miles up Emigration Canyon.  During the summer months the camp accommodates handicapped children, youth and adults, who come at week long intervals to experience therapeutic recreational activity and education.  The campers enjoy horse back riding, swimming, ropes courses, a beautiful playground and park,  basketball, canoeing, fishing, and arts and crafts.

We were able to try out the ropes course where BJ was belaying for the day.  Matt went first while I watched Benson, then we switched.  The course is on average 20 ft off the ground, some sections higher than others,  I felt so confident watching Matt from the ground - he made it look so easy!!  But when I arrived at the top I felt like I was going to die!  I haven't done anything exhilarating like that in awhile and forgot how my adrenaline rises when I'm in the air.

We are so excited to have Uncle BJ close to us this Summer!