How it Feels to Have a Missionary Son

July 11,2013

Today marks one year that Scott has been serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  One year of service is left.  A girlfriend said to me in the days just after he left that the time flies by for everyone but the mother.  I have to be honest and say that the time has flown by for me as well.  I think about him, pray for him, and watch the weather in Florida every day and still I can't believe that it's already been a year.

Having a son on a mission comes with a mixture of emotions.  Shortly after he left, Matt and I were out together in search of a restaurant.  I was looking at the Google map on my phone and zoomed in to see a baseball diamond.  I just started crying.  I cried because I was missing him so much and I just wanted to talk with him, I wanted to hear his voice and his laughter.  I wanted to know what he was struggling with, what made him excited, and what his daily life was like.  I felt really lonely.  I think the baseball field was a tangible reminder of everything I've tried to do for him.  It represented all the hours I've watched him, cheered him, and played with him.  It's where I spent hours crying over him, praying for him, laughing with him and loving him.  It seems that even though my heart beats within my own breast, it actually resides in the members of my family.  To have my heart so far removed and so silent, was a very empty feeling.  Everyday I stand at my kitchen sink and look into the backyard.  I can see him running and playing, it brings tears to my eyes.  I think what I miss the most though, is just talking with him.

Having a son on a mission is the greatest experience.  It's amazing to see the growth each week as he writes home.  I can't believe how strong and steady he has become.  I suppose it should be a relief to know that he won't need me for everything, but there was something wonderful about the day he arrived and was completely dependent upon me.  But letting go is actually not difficult, it is a joyful experience.  It's wonderful to feel confident in his faith and devotion.  It's inspiring to hear him working hard and inviting me to do the same.  It's nice to know that in spite of my parenting, he will be successful.  That thought gives me confidence as a mother.  I am so glad to be the mother of a missionary.  I am so grateful for his example and desires.  There isn't anything else in the world I would want him to be doing right now.

I'm looking forward to the next 12 months.

It's Great to be Eight!!

Friday, June 28th was Emily's 8th birthday.  She was excited to be baptized.

 

 She asked her older brother Douglas to baptize her and

her father to confirm her a member of the church.

She is a sweet girl with a tender heart.  Yea! for Emily.

Happy Birthday

Happy Anniversary

 

My Favorite Pictures from the Weekend

Things I love about Soccer

• I love to watch Thomas play soccer, mostly because he loves to play. 
• He is in a stage where he eats, breathes and sleeps soccer.  He knows something about every professional player and every league.  He follows Manchester United and especiallyWayne Rooney.  I love to see him so passionate.
• He talks to me all the time about soccer moves, goals, and outstanding plays.  His dream is to score a goal with a bicycle kick.  I love that he shares his excitement with me.
• He did score a goal this weekend - a sweet header.  I love, love watching him smile after he scores.
• I love that Matt got this series of pictures from his game.

• Although it doesn't always happen, I love that we got pictures of Thomas winning the ball.  I love his face in all of these pictures.

Christmas Day

This year, Christmas morning started off with a big surprise.  Earlier in December Doug had prepared a video audition for a piano prize competition.  This event is open to all California high school juniors and seniors, all community college and California State University students.  After submitting a 5 minute audition by DVD, 10 finalists are selected and will perform a live 20 minute program from which 3 winners are chosen.  We knew that the announcement of who had been selected would come on December 24th.  During the day I checked my email, but there was nothing there. During our Christmas Eve party, Doug checked and again there was nothing.  So we figured he hadn't made the cut.  I was glad we had the party going on so that he was distracted and couldn't spend time feeling bad about it.  On Christmas Day we were planning on visiting with Scott and as I was quite excited about this I checked my email the very first thing to make sure that the phone time hadn't changed.  I didn't want to miss talking with him.  And there was the email.  Doug was named as one of the 10 finalists - who knew that music professors spend late Christmas Eve sending out emails.  Anyway, I handed Matt the camera and told him to capture this moment.  I love the spontaneity, look at Doug's surprise.

Almost immediately he was a little overcome with emotion.  It made us all cry.

Isn't he cute?

But as everyone knows, the most important thing about Christmas morning is the presents.  So we didn't dwell for long on Doug's good news.  For me though, this made my Christmas, just to see his heart so touched.  He doesn't often express his feelings verbally so I love it when they come out in unexpected places.

Thomas on a treasure hunt

for a new bearded dragon cage.  Karin are you photo bombing?

My tomboy

and my little girl.

 

Doug on a treasure hunt for a new ping pong table.  Santa, Matt and Ben were very wise this year and left the assembly to the daytime and mostly to Doug.  No 4:00 am bedtime this year.

Any doubt about what Thomas loves?

Photo bomb again?

!!

 

I don't know if passionate even begins to describe how Thomas feels about soccer, Manchester United and Wayne Rooney, but it's the best word I can find.  He knows everything about Rooney including what cleats he wears.  Thomas found a website where you can design your own cleats and has been asking for them for months.  Matt had fun, designing them with the correct colors, Tom's initials and favorite jersey number.  And yes, these are the cleats that Rooney wears.  Thomas gets emotional while opening this present and one time looks up as if he is thanking God.  Imagine a Christmas morning where both of the your boys cry.  Life is good!!

For a girl who has a very sweet tooth.

Emily made very careful selections in her gift giving this year.  Dad got a handy tool kit.  Emily did all her own shopping.

Ben is looking so sharp in his new Ping jersey,

and even better in his new Huddler.

A darling apron and platter for a darling girl.

Merry Christmas 2012