Elder Loveland is HOME!!

Yesterday had to be one of the best days of my entire life.  It's hard to even put it into words actually. Heaven on earth possibly.

The kids helped me make signs for the airport for when C arrived.  We had our neighbors Gail and Clay, my parents and D's parents there with us to welcome him home.  I.  Could.  Not.  Wait!!  Every time a new set of people came down the escalators I ran to ask them where they were arriving from so that we could be ready holding our signs.  And, so that I could hold me son again.  :)

While waiting at the bottom of the middle escalators my mom said, "I see C."  I responded, "You do not!",because he was clearly not right in front of me.  "Yes, yes I do.  I see C", my mom said again.  And then frantically looking around, I said, "Shut up.  Where?"

And then I saw him.  And I couldn't get to him fast enough hobbling and all.  I was already crying, holding my arms out, and calling for him.  Just as I was about to put my arms around my son now man, I looked at him one last time and really asked myself if it truly was my son I was about to hug.  And then I gave the biggest hug I've ever given in my life.  I held on to my boy and he continued to smile and say, "I love you Mom."  I hugged him, pulled back so that I could look at his cute face, and hugged him some more. Thoughts raced through my head at what a glorious reunion this was.  I couldn't imagine anything sweeter.  I thought of some of my girlfriends that have lost their sons in the last few years and imagined them reuniting with their sons some day.  I was so excited for them right then.

After I got to welcome back my handsome son, we walked hand in hand back to the others so that they could welcome him back.   It was awesome.

 I stood there watching him greet everyone and the confidence that he had.  My son had grown up.  I just wanted to freeze time.

As he went around welcoming everyone my neighbor Gail went in to hug him.  In his Spanish he spurted out something to the fact that he couldn't hug her since she was a female.  She looked confused and hurt wondering why Clay got a hug and not her.  I could tell by C's reaction what he was trying to say to her and I quickly explained the rule that until he was released he couldn't hug her.

After the airport we went to Smashburger to get C a big juicy burger at his request.  When we got home we had a few hours until his release time.  We walked through our home where C recognized all the changes I had made the last two years.  The boys had fun showing him their rooms.  They played ping pong with him and little g was counting down the hours until C wasn't a missionary because of all the restrictions.  C pointed out that it was a blessing to be a missionary.  :)  C showed me his backpack that he had mended himself.  It made me so happy.

C called A to say hello since he is still at college for another week.  It was fun hearing my boys talk again and know that they'll see each other soon and then be off to school together.

7:00 came and we were at President Gates' home ready to see C be released as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  The Stake President Spoke to him and gave him some instruction and then had him sit in the chair.  As I heard the words of our stake president while releasing C, I couldn't help but open my eyes and watch my son.  He was crying.  Just a few hours earlier he had told D that he doesn't cry anymore.  But there he was, sobbing knowing that he would no longer be a missionary.  That the life that he had come to know and love would be over.  I cried as I watched my son cry, knowing that he had truly loved being a missionary.  When the prayer was over, C asked him if he needed to take his name tag off.  You could tell he didn't want to.  President Gates told him that he could keep it on as long as he wanted as he smiled at C.  I'm sure he has seen that with most missionaries.

Afterwards, we went to Panda Express, grabbed dinner for everyone and headed home.  One of my friends had bought us Martinelli's to celebrate C's arrival.  It was fun celebrating with him home at our own kitchen table.  He was home now.

When we had family prayer last night I peeked over to see C's shoes.  I had heard about other missionaries shoes and how worn they had gotten and how it represented their hard work.  There my son's shoes were, holes in the bottom, falling apart, and perfect.  Going to bed so grateful tonight that Elder Loveland is home.

This is the place......BYU-I

My dad and I moved A into his apartment today in Rexburg, Idaho.  He is attending BYU-Idaho.  His roommate is a freshman from Myrtle Beach, North Carlolina and another guy in his apartment is a 28 year old student named Ryan.  He is awesome and I am so happy he is with A.  

I loved being there on that beautiful campus.  I loved experiencing college the way I wish that I would have.  I loved the spirit that was everywhere.  I loved the beautiful town of Rexburg.  I loved being able to see the beautiful temple anywhere in town.

I left knowing that it was right.  Knowing that A was in the right place and that I wanted all of my children to attend BYU-Idaho.  My eyes fill up with tears whenever I think about it actually.

I feel like Brigham Young as he saw the Salt Lake valley when he arrived with the saints declaring, "This is the place."  I'm so happy for A and so excited for C once he starts his college years in January.

He's a Teacher

Happy Birthday G.  I'm so grateful to have you as my son.  I admire so many qualities about you including your eagerness to become a teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood.  I think it's so cute how you're into a "Chex Muddy Buddy" phase right now.  Once again, that's what you wanted for your cake.  Love the powdered sugar dust cloud as you blew out your candles.  I love you!

How's your boy doing?

In September of 2011, C opened his mission call saying he would be serving in the Mexico Guadalajara Mission.  I was overcome with emotions when he read it.  Not only had we been waiting for that day his entire life, but I was so excited to tell my Latino friends that my son would be experiencing some of their culture and would someday be able to communicate with them in their native tongue.  It was very cool.

About three weeks ago, my friend Adriana's mom had been here visiting for a month and was going to return home to Guadalajara.  I sent a package back with her so that C could get a package since some of them haven't been getting to him.  I heard back that the package was delivered to the mission office safely and it would just be a matter of time for him to get it.  I was happy.  Yay, my son would receive some mail.  :)

Just four days later, I got a text from my friend saying that her mother had just SEEN Elder Loveland at the church and that he was doing well and spoke Spanish perfectly.  I had the hugest smile on my face!!  And not only that, we would be having dinner with her sister that Sunday evening.  Could that be true?

My mind raced back almost seventeen months ago when I first heard C open his mission call.  I never dreamed that he would actually see family members or even eat at their homes.  My heart is so full and I'm so grateful.  C sent this picture today of him with my friend's family there in Guadalajara.

Going to bed happy knowing that C is doing well, that he has the language down, that he is happy and confident, has been given good companions, loves where he is serving and that he is given tender mercies when he's needed them.  All good things when people ask me, "How's your boy doing?".

Sadie's

A was asked to Sadie's by A Hoer.  I asked him just after being asked if he was excited.  His very typical A response was, "I'm excited for the free clothes."  Coming from Mr. Frugal and not wanting to show too much excitement or draw too much attention, I giggled at his answer being shocked and not shocked all at the same time.  (The girls always get their date a matching shirt or hoodie.)  

He was funny letting me tease, or so I made it seem that way, about making sure he had brushed teeth, a shaved mustache and doused  himself with his good cologne from Banana Republic.  

I showed up to where they were doing pictures and snapped a couple shots.  I caught A comfortable and cute with his date and friends.  I left almost with a skip in my step.  :)

When he reported in after his date I asked him the usual questions without making it too torturous or so that he wouldn't entirely shut down.  Who am I kidding?  I really didn't expect more than the normal non expressive, "I don't know" or "sure" or "ya".  But, being pleasantly surprised, and sure a blessing from having a missionary out, he was cute and proceeded to tell me about the evening.  "A" style of course.  One teeny miracle at a time.  :)

They went and got pictures taken.  Ate dinner at the Elephant Bar where he had Orange Chicken.  Went to the Sadie's Carnival for an appearance since his date and some of her friends are in Student Council.  Went to a Korean Restaurant in China Town and did karaoke.  At which point the next miracle happened.  He then went on saying, "I was so good.  I was better than everyone.  I sang two songs.  I was so good." Without trying to sound too shocked, I asked him if he sang by himself.  He then went on to say how good he had done and which songs he had sung.  I'm not shocked that he did well because he has excellent pitch  and a great voice, but my quiet non wanting any attention son SANG in front of people and even GIRLS??!!!  What I wasn't shocked at though, were his song choices.  A couple songs from Taylor Swift.  He can sing those songs forward and backwards probably in seventeen languages.  

I asked him if he had fun.  He said, "yes".  I told him good night.  As soon as he left my bedroom, I rolled over, grabbed D's arm and said, "See, see, there's hope!  Our quiet boy is going to be okay.  Thank you C for serving a mission!"  

I went to bed more than smiling last night.  

My missionary

This is my missionary.  He has been gone now thirteen months.  I can hardly believe we spoke to him a month ago!  Time continues to fly.  It may be the last picture we get with Elder Montiel.  C is feeling a transfer coming this weekend.  Doesn't he look great and so handsome?  Makes me happy.  :)

Skiing at Brian Head

The three big boys found notes in their stockings saying they would go skiing up to Brian Head with D.  They were so excited at the thought of finally going.  Something they really never thought they'd do because I'm not going down the slopes again after going in 8th grade and going straight down the hill at what seemed like the speed of light while screaming to everyone to get out of my way before I plowed them over.  And, D has said that he can't afford to get hurt and miss work.  But, I made a deal with D and it was done.

I worried and worried about D going skiing.  He's had an ACL repair, his ankles are weak and his body isn't quite the same as it was twenty years ago when he last went skiing.  But, he reassured me that it was just like riding a bike.  Sure.  (I'm rolling my eyes)

They got back from skiing tonight and said how much fun they had had.  Well, most of them.  A and G had a blast and can't wait to go another time telling me how they raced down the hill going at least sixty miles an hour.  A can even "tuck" I'm told.  It's so good I hear this afterwards.  It's strange to think they enjoy that absolutely terrifying out of control kind of thing.  We're just absolutely not related there!  J on the other hand, enjoyed himself despite being with a bunch of little kids in his ski class and having the flu.  D said he was such a trooper and sucked it up all day.  And for my D...he went down the lift one time and slept in the lodge all day down with the flu as well.  We giggled as he told me that as he was going down, he heard his leg muscles say, "What are you doing to me?"  He told me that he had wished he could have "bought" a bed in the first aid hall he was so sick.  Sorry honey, my prayers were answered.  :)  You returned home all in one piece.

So glad to have them back home and happy.

He had Thanksgiving!

I got this picture in my email today from C.  He got his Thanksgiving package that I sent him and he made their Thanksgiving meal today.  His companion had never had Thanksgiving before seeing how he is from Mexico City.  I guess he loved, LOVED the stuffing.  C said that he made it all in less than forty five minutes and that it was all really good.  I'll have to remember that for future Thanksgiving dinners when I think I've got to make rolls, pies, stuffing, turkey, gravy and everything else that you have to have.  Why, when you can  dump out a few packets and have the same meal?

The picture just made me so happy and I loved that he wore his turkey hat.  Love that boy.

He is happy

C has been in Mexico for almost five months.  He's had a great companion that has worked hard, been obedient with exactness and been good to him.  His companion Elder Hartmann returned home yesterday.  Although I was excited for his family to have their missionary back, it was a tough day for me.  I knew that C would miss his good companion.  I made contact with his companion on Facebook today.  He sent me a message back saying,

"...last area is one of my favorite areas of my mission and a lot of that was because of what I learned with Elder Loveland. It will be good for him the transition. He himself recognized it will be that push that he needs. He has grown a lot since the first day I met him. He is happy and ready for the new responsibility and I hope and pray for his success especially there in Villa Hidalgo."

When I read the words, "he is happy" I cried tears of joy.  He will be okay.  I will be okay.  He has been gone ten months.  It has flown by.  Seriously, the fastest year of my life.  

And, I think C makes a cute cowboy.  :)