Rob is going on a mission............

I've been thinking a lot lately about this year...boy is it busy and life changing. Rob's mission papers were officially submitted last night. Wow! This is crazy...where has time gone?? Seems like just yesterday we had a HUGE surprise at having a boy! Dr Dinger's famous words "it's a boy!" Gary " a BOY!" we were so sure we were having our 4th daughter and ok with that...but what a nice surprise....cuddling with this little guy was amazing and knowing he would be our last meant something even more special..hard to put in words. He was such a joy growing up...loving every moment...struggling with him through challenges in elementary and scouts....enjoying watching him grow and learn in every aspect of life...watching him in aww as he encourages friends to read the Book of Mormon ... no pressure, but sharing a sweet testimony of this book and suggesting they read for themselves...watching him advance in his Priesthood...Rob has honored and performed his Priesthood duties with love, respect and honor ...you could always count on Rob to pass the sacrament as a deacon every Sunday dressed in white shirt and tie, get to church early to set up the sacrament table as a teacher as well as perform his duties without argument in going door to door to collect fast offerings, occasional sacrament taken to home bound members of our ward etc...these were things he knew he was expected to do and there was never a question as to his responsibilities to which he gladly did. I think one of those things where I really saw Rob grow was blessing the sacrament as a new Priest...this was somewhat of a challenge...he had his share of repeated blessings whether it be from nerves or just not reading the blessing completely, he just kept trying and trying until he finally overcame this particular challenge and would bless the sacrament with a love in his heart for this Priesthood responsibility. Rob was then ordained an Elder....wow...he now holds the Melchizedek Priesthood....our son has the same keys as his dad...this is amazing. He has helped with a couple blessings....still goes up and blesses the sacrament when he is needed and I can say, this is a young man who truly honors his Priesthood. Well, last night after a month of doctors visits, papers filled out and interviews his "papers" were officially sent in to the Apostles to look over and assign him a mission call....holy cow....my little boy will soon be out for 2 years serving the Lord and those people he will be assigned to teach! Have we really prepared him for this, does he have all the tools he will need to live on his own with a companion and be able to share his testimony and teach the gospel to others...will he be able to take care of his physical needs...ie cooking, cleaning etc....I know he has the laundry thing down pat....but how about shopping and preparing for those things he will need? What if he get's homesick or just sick....will he know to go to the Lord for assurance and help....does he pray and read his scriptures the way he needs to....what if he needs me...ugh!!! I know every mom goes through this...we just want to be available just in case, but we can't. I pray he will find "another son's mother" on his mission to maybe fill my shoes...maybe a meal occasionally...maybe some guidance and support....I'm feeling a few pieces of my heart flaking off right now...I know this is the best possible thing for Rob and those who he will teach...he is such a great young man...but I will miss him...I hurt for those family times he will miss out on for two years...we have been such a close family.....but through it all...feelings set aside....this is what he is supposed to do, I support him and love him dearly and put him and his life in the hands of our Lord to watch over him, keep him safe for these next 2 years... to guide him and strengthen him that he will be the tool....those hands that will spread the gospel to all the lands.....love you buddy!!

Sore...but smiling.....

It was a very nice day yesterday....one of those productive Saturdays. We got up early and worked in the much needed yard....I weeded all the gardens (and there are alot!) I love flowers, so I made sure we had enough space for them in the front and back...only, we also grow a lot of crab grass and those viney weeds that like to invade the gardens...I worked hard but it's done and they look nice...today though, I am extremely sore! OUCH! I always use muscles I don't usually use and pay for it the next day...UGH....but when I look at the yard I am appreciative of the fact that I can get down, crawl around, dig and pull and do what it takes to make our yard pleasant and fun to be in....then..later in the evening Max came over while Staci and Trevor went to a play.....since it was Westfest, we took him to the fireworks!!!! He oooohhed and aahhed the entire night..he just loved the fireworks and was dissappointed when they were over....thank heavens there are more days of fireworks to come...don't you just love this time of year...it just makes me smile!!!

Sometimes words do hurt us.....................

Ya know the old saying our parents used to say to us....."sticks and stones can break our bones, but words will never hurt us" I have come to the conclusion they lied to us again......sticks and stones might just do that...if hit hard enough and in the right place they could just break our bones.....but those dang words.....they just often do hurt us even if we try not to let them....after all, we are all human, we have feelings....those words can cut to the bone and they are said just to do that......I will never understand why someone feels the need to be totally mean and uncaring to someone else.....they don't even know us...they don't know our situation nor do they know how much they affect how we feel. It would be so nice to just be toughed skinned...to not let others make us feel inferior or horrible....I especially hurt when things are directed towards someone I love dearly and who is such a good person with a heart of gold towards others......it seems so unfair....going through challenges, trying so hard to overcome so many things just to be 'slapped in the face' so to speak with painful words that tare at your heart.....I just wish people would be more caring and considerate towards others....and that I guess we need some of that thick skin so we can handle others who think they are themselves so perfect they have room to hurt us......I'm really tired of it, ya know....just saying

Fun Day with family and friends!!!!

We had such a FUN day yesterday!!! Our friends from Las Vegas came for a week long visit....they have been on the go visiting and enjoying their vacation....yesterday we all went to Staci's apartment in North Ogden to go swimming, lunch and have pedicures...what a fun day this was!











finished product!!!






Swimming was great....Tara (Staci and Trevor's cousin's wife) Lincoln and Oliver came over to swim with the kids....they all had such a good time.....little sunburning but otherwise "sweet!"

So.....Where do you think Rob will go on his mission?

Dear friends and family! as some of you know, Rob finished his portion of his mission papers! YAY! He and I decided to have a contest. All family and friends are invited to join in on a fun contest to guess where he will go on his mission, whether it be Country or a state. Whoever gets the correct place will be able to come with our family too Leatherby's! YUMMMMM... Rules!

1. Only up three people can choose the same country OR state.
2. if three people already have chosen you unfortunately have to choose again. We will keep everyone updated.....

Moving Day........

Yesterday was moving day for Trevor, Staci and Max!!! They found a real nice 3 bedroom apartment that has a playground and swimming pool ... close to just about any store you would want, with a view of the majestic mountains that are totally breathtaking in my words! Yes, a 14hr day in North Ogden!!! Whew!! I hope to never see this many stairs again!!! The move out of where they were living had stairs, the move to their apartment had stairs (2nd level)...let's just say, I'm tired of stairs...(on a positive note, we didn't have to move a piano .... that's a first!!!) Everybody helped...Kristi, Kati, Rob, Dad and me....then Trevor's cousins Josh and Tara with their cute little boys, and his Aunt Sherry came...(Sherry was soooo nice and bought everybody pizza and drinks!!!) It was a lloonngg day. We got them moved and their other place cleaned..whoot whoot! ...such a nice place.................now to empty the boxes....