In a "Holding Pattern"

We had a great weekend, as Seth and Travis went through the temple for the first time. It is interesting to view them as adults more so now than before. As the title mentions, we are in a "holding pattern" waiting for the boys to leave on their missions. Travis leaves for Hiroshima, Japan on October 19th. That's less than one month (for those of us who are keeping track). I have decided that I must fly him out to Provo and deliver him to the MTC myself. Everyone's work schedules do not permit us to make a pilgrimage to Provo, but I couldn't bring myself to drop him off curbside at the airport! So, I will be dropping him off curbside at the MTC.

I am not sure if everyone realizes that missionaries are no longer accompanied into the MTC for a short farewell ceremony as has been done in the past. So, we will be arriving on a Monday night, spend Tuesday touring Salt Lake City and the BYU campus...and then it's farewell until October of 2011. Wow, 2011 that's a long time from now.

Seth, on the other hand, will be dropped off at the airport. Seth had the pleasure of spending three weeks in Florida with his grandmother. He had a great time! We made a "deal" that this trip took the place of us flying him down to Provo ourselves. Seth will leave for Provo on November 4th. His cousin, Nick left for the same country (Dominican Republic) today! Both Seth and Travis will be in the MTC together for Thanksgiving...the thought of them being "together" brings me a sense of peace and contentment. Seth will leave the Provo MTC in late November, heading for the Dominican Republic MTC for 9 more weeks of training. Travis will linger in Provo until January 4th. Seth is excited to be serving in an area where he will learn a new language and be able to serve the Lord in a way that he has not done before. The missionaries in our ward have made good use of Seth (and Travis) as they take them on discussions with them. What an exciting time this is for our family. Everyone is looking forward to hearing all about the adventures and challenges that the boys will surely face over the next two years.

We were able to purchase a "countdown" poster from Deseret Book last week...Seth and Travis will have a well documented mission! It was nice to see them pick out a missionary journal along with a new scripture bag and a pocket-sized hymnal. Seth received his missionary suit ( he was told to only purchase one...and that it will be left in the mission home) and a very nice watch for his birthday on Sunday. I guess you could say that our preparations are well underway!

School Begins!

Well, another summer has come and gone. The kids (and parents) go back to school on Wednesday, September 9th. I think we are the latest school district in the state to start school, or at least it seems that way. Seth and Travis are working odd jobs and preparing to leave for their missions soon. Travis leaves first on October 21st and Seth follows on November 4th. They will both be in the Provo MTC for Thanksgiving. We are looking forward to them heading out on their missions, but with some sadness too. It seems strange to be letting them go.

Our youngest, Evan and Alyssa are all alone at the middle school this year. They are in 7th grade together, and have said "good bye" to Aarun who has entered high school. That really shakes me up...Aarun in high school! Wow, how time flies!

Tess is a senior, Jessica a junior, Amanda and Ethan are sophomores, and Aarun is a freshman. Wayne and I will have an especially busy school year. I am working as the Dean of Students at the high school in the morning, teaching in the afternoon, and being a principal intern with my spare time. As Wayne and I both wrap up our Master's degrees, this will probably be our busiest year yet! Luckily, we don't mind sharing the work load and are pretty good at getting the kids to pitch in!

We are already planning a big summer trip to celebrate a busy school year. Perhaps Disneyland again next summer! The kids really enjoy the sights and sounds of southern California. We hope to be able to have one last big trip before sending Tess off to college next fall. Additionally, I hope to be working as a middle or high school assistant principal in the '10-'11 school year, so a nice trip would be a great beginning for a new adventure.