Puppies Puppies everywhere

This week was spring break for Tori. She didnt have work or school. Jennings didn't have spring break. I knew that Tori would be a little lonely, so I seized the opportunity to spend a little time with her. I drove up to Orem on Monday to spend a few days with her. We played a little tennis, did a little shopping,  attempted to make a coffee table from pallet wood and failed lol, and went to a place called the puppy barn. It is a store that sells puppies. you can hold the puppies if you are over 18. You have to sanitize your hands and wait 2 minutes between litters. Kind of funny. The puppies were really cute.

 

They pitched their tents

Ever since the kids were little, we have tried ways to  keep them entertained, and quiet during General conference. Many times we  helped them or let them build a tent in the living room right in front of the t.v. They get all cozy, take snacks into the tent like candy and popcorn and prepare to listen to the words of the prophet. IT reminds me of the scriptures where everyone pitches their tents with the door facing the temple so they can hear the words of King Benjamin.

This year was no different. Even though Tyler is 18 and Teegan in 15, they still pitched a tent made of blankets, in front of the t.v.

 

 Tyler playing a game with cousins after conference. 

Chicken Little

Tyler is a senior in high school! I can't believe that he will be graduating in a few weeks then in a few more weeks heading out to serve a mission! He asked a girl to senior Ball. Her name is Camry derrick. This will most likely be his last high school dance.
He delivered a padlock to Camry's house with several boys name on a paper. Beside each name was a combination. All of the combinations were wrong except for the one by Tylers name. She had to figure out who asked her to the dance by finding the correct combination and opening the lock. I think the note said something like we will make a great combination for Senior Ball. I cant quite remember.

She answered him with

this little baby chicken. Yes, a live chicken!! It is so cute! her note said something like I'd love to be the "chick" you take to Senior Ball. 

Not sure what we are going to do with a little chicken. 

Tori visited for a couple days. She loves animals and loved the little chicken. She let it loose in the living room to walk around a bit and of course it pooped on the carpet. So she devised a plan  Chickie diapers of course. 

 She didn't have a lot of success however. Either the chicken couldn't walk with its paper towel diaper on, or the diaper would fall off. We had a lot of laughs though watching her make and try out these diapers on the little chicken. Poor chicken! We still aren't sure what to do with this chicken. I don't think any of us really want it. It is a meat chicken, so technically we could eat it in a few weeks. But who's going to kill it? Not I!

And behold the field is white...

Tyler has turned 18 and is now old enough to go on a mission. at first he didn't seem all that eager to start his mission papers. He wanted to leave after the summer, so he could do a few more things I guess. Once his friends started receiving their mission calls, he decided he should start his papers. Before I knew it, he had submitted them. I was kind of surprised and unprepared. It didn't seem real. He pretty much did everything on his own. I set some doctors appointments, but he went by himself. I still cant believe that this is really happening.

We didn't know how to check on the progress of his call once the papers had been submitted electronically. The bishop said he would check on the status everyday and let us know But we heard nothing.

The Friday before Easter, Ken was out of town and so was Tyler. He had gone to San Diego with Rugby. and Ken was on a business trip. I was dropping Teegan off at the college to take a test before I went to work. My phone was out of data, so i didnt have internet or texting. I got a call from Gina Gottfredson, our neighbor saying that the mailman was trying to get a hold of us. I knew what this meant and I was kind of in shock. We have the most awesome mailman, who calls the family when a mission call arrives at the post office. He was trying to get a hold of us to tell us that he had a mission call waiting. I couldnt believe what I was hearing! I called the mailman and he told me to meet him at the post office. I about burst into tears as I was speaking to the mailman. We thought the call would take longer because it was General conference weekend, and had heard that they dont assign mission calls during the weeks prior to or after general conference.

I went to the post office and sure enough, the post man handed me a big envelope with

Tylers name on it. It was from the church headquarters. I called Ken and Tyler. I was so excited and nervous at the same time. But I knew that Tyler wouldnt be home until late Saturday night.

I was so nervous about where he would be called.. He wanted to go foreign really bad. I didnt want him to be disappointed. I had been praying that the call would be inspired and that wherever he was called it would be the best place for him.

I thought that as soon as he got home late Saturday night he would tear into the envelope, eager to see where he would be going. The Higginsons called me when they found out that he had his call. They got ready and drove 3 1/2 hours to get here late Saturday night. So they could be here when he opened his call. He got home around midnight and went straight to bed. I was a little surprised. I think he was nervous and a little scared to see where he would be going for the next two years.

The next morning we got several of Kens siblings on Skype. Austin and Irlaine, Mark and Amy, grandma Trent , Stacy and Tiffany, Tori and Jennings, and Grandma Anderson were all watching via Skype. He opened his call on Easter Sunday before General conference started.

It was so great to have so many family members joinimg in on the excitement. He read the letter... You are hereby called to serve in the Argentina Buenos Aires West mission. reporting to the MTC on July 15!! AHHh! I bawled my eyes out as he read. Partly because I was happy for him that he was going foreign, partly because I can't believe that this is real and he is leaving me, partly because i am so happy that he is willing and worthy to serve the Lord, partly because I am going to miss him like crazy! He came over and hugged me, I sure do love that kid!

I am a basket case. I can't even think about him leaving without bursting into tears. Two years is such a ling time! I tear up or cry almost everyday. I cant help it. It is so hard for me and he still has 3 months before he leaves. I know the time will fly by though.