This past week..one word...BUSY!

I was just thinking, I never posted about this, Garrett went through the temple last Friday.  What an awesome experience it was to have the chance to attend the temple with him.  To also have so many people there supporting him and showing him their love that they have for him as he embarks upon his mission.  I love attending the temple, especially with my children.  I loved the peace and comfort that I felt there that particular day.  That day, I knew Garrett was going to be okay....although it does not make it any easier to go through this process.

Garrett has had the opportunity to go back to the temple several other times, which makes me happy.  Happy knowing that he will have that knowledge of what temple work is all about. 

A week ago, Dec. 28, we spent the day getting ready for his farewell the next day.  I have been truly blessed with a wonderful family and friends (that I consider to be family).  They helped me out immensely!  I cooked, shopped, cleaned, cleaned some more, chopped food, all while Brent and our friend helped him install base boards!  Yes base boards the day before a farewell.  I have only waited six years for the base boards to get put in.

Sunday, my sister came over at 9am and helped me cook, chop food, and clean.  She was wonderful!  I truly needed every helping hand that I could get.  Garrett spoke in church and did a fantastic job.  He spoke on Blessings of the Spirit.  He is going to make a wonderful missionary.  Florida is definitely lucky to be getting him!  I did well....I did not cry!  At least not while he was speaking!  Prior to his talk he kept mouthing to me to not cry (he also used his hands to show me while sitting up on the stand.  However, the crying came once the Stake President stood up and started talking.  But that was basically it....until evening time!  We came home and did a dinner.  So many people showed up, but somehow we managed to pack them into our house!  Garrett really does have a lot of people that love and care about him, he is truly blessed!  And can I say how wonderful it was to have friends and a sister that took over taking care of all the prep work?  They are AWESOME!  That day, family came over first and then neighbors and friends.  Our house was full all day!  Garrett has a ton of love and support!  He is one blessed kid!  

Once the house was empty and everyone had gone home we went to Temple Square and walked around the lights.  It was a great way to end the day.  When it was finally time for bed that is when the tears finally hit.  I had been strong all day but I could not contain my emotions anymore.  Tears flowed freely and would not stop because I knew this is what Garrett wants to do.

This past week has been full of last minute shopping for this coming week.  Temple trips for Garrett, movie nights at the theater for the family and skipping school days for Parker and Madi.  I thought it was stupid that the kids had to go back to school for two days, Thursday and Friday.  How stupid is that?  So we kept the kids home on Thursday, really we gave them the option but it was easy to figure out what their answer would be.  So we took the kids out to breakfast at Sill's.  It was a lot of fun!  But then the missionaries came in...(cue the da da daaaaaahhh music).  Garrett looked at me and said, "Don't cry mom." I have no idea what would possess him to say such a thing, I am not a crier. :)  I really was fine until he said that, but the more I thought about that being Garrett in a few weeks, tears started swelling up in my eyes.  Honestly, it does not take much to set off the tears.  I think you could look at me and say "BOO" and I would tear up.  I did not want to look like a bawl baby in the restaurant, so I valiantly fought back the tears.   Every now and then, one would creep out and quickly make a getaway down my cheek.  As we left we asked for he Elders bill and paid for them, knowing that if my son were (which he will be) in their position, I would love for someone to pick up his and his companions tab.  We left, ran a few errands and came home.  Later that night, we went to a movie, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.  It was cute.

The rest of the week has been busy scouring the stores for last minute items Garrett is going to need to take with him.  A mission is not cheap, but I hear it is worth it.  

Saturday consisted of a temple trip with Garrett again.  Wonderful experience!  I think I need to live at the temple for the next two years.  Seriously.  It may be the only place I won't cry that much.  I really am trying not to smother the kid, but  it is hard to let him go.  I want to enjoy every moment I can when I am with him.

This is hard.  Something I was not prepared for.  Something I don't think you can ever prepare for.  

(If you have made it this far, reading this post that is, I am impressed, or sorry I have put you through this.)

Today, Sunday....started out bright and early....and the rest will be in another post.