The Road to Utah (via Pasco)

Families can be together forever!
Good thing we like ours!

                          


 

         Playing the "Princess" board game
with Uncle Evan


    Piglet's Blessing
               

Friday, September 10, 2010

Once Evan finished recording the  new message for our answering                                      machine (literally done right before we went out the door), we piled in the truck and headed out. Terry drove, I got shotgun, Evan and Chelsea were stuck in back with Oreo sandwiched in the middle.  Oreo is too "senior, high maintenance" at the age of 14 to leave behind with a dog sitter anymore.  We only went as far as Pasco on our first leg of the trip and spent the weekend there with the Hamm Bunch.  It was nice to break up the trip to Utah with a layover at H and R's home and they even have a guest room to offer.  That's more than I can say for here.  When they visit us it's couches and floors for one and all.

R's parents and siblings were also in
Pasco for the weekend and R's sister was nice enough to take some casual family pictures for us.  Thanks so much Rebecca!! We had a nice time visiting, playing with the kiddos (is there anything better than grandkids?), and on Sunday at church we were able to witness Piglet's baby blessing. This was especially touching for us, since this was the first time Evan was able to stand in the circle of priesthood holders for a baby blessing.  And to have it be his niece made it even sweeter!

We left Pasco and headed for Provo early Monday morning.  H and the kids joined us for the trip.  They didn't want to miss Evan's send off to the MTC anymore than the rest of us.  Unfortunately, R wasn't able to join us - he had to stay home and work.  Funny how little things like "work" always seem to get in the way!  Next stop Provo.

Man Servant ??

Friday, Sept. 10th, 2010

Before hitting the road for Utah we had Evan record a new message for our answering machine.  Great idea, right?  I thought so.  Since we only get to talk to him at Christmas and Mothers Day over the next two years, it only made sense to have his voice recorded.  Now, whenever our answering machine goes off we hear Evan repeating the message.  The catch is that I was envisioning his normal voice.  However, I was out voted by all other residents of our home.  So if you happen to call us and get the machine, don't be fooled.  No - we didn't hire a British servant.  I actually ended up really liking the accent, even though it doesn't sound exactly like my son - you can still tell it's him.  It's kind of cute (don't tell Evan I said that) and humorous.  And in this house we're all about humor!  It keeps us on our toes.  And as an added bonus, not only do we get to hear Evan's voice every day, but it has cut way down  on the number of unwanted marketing calls we receive.  I think they hear the British accent and think they've reached the UK by mistake and they just hang up!!  What an added blessing!!

MTC (Missionary Training Center) - Here I Come!!

September ~ 2010

Biometric craziness?!!

     The months between May and September were busily filled with both spiritual and temporal preparations.  Evan handled the spiritual, while Mom took care of most of the temporal.  There were the usual things - passport photos (2 for the passport & 6 to be sent to the mission president in Germany), a new expedited passport (his current one would expire while in Germany), a request to Olympia for an extended WSDL (this would also expire while in Germany), biometric photos for a very strict German visa application (don't even ask!!).  Oh! And let's not forget the debit card.  It needed to be reissued . . . it would expire while he was in Germany.  Are you catching a general pattern here.  That was only some of the paper work.
     Then of course there was the medical exam (and required shots), dental exam (especially the status of wisdom teeth), and eye exam (two year supply of contacts & extra pair of glasses).  And the otc meds, vitamins, and first aid necessities on the "required" packing list was (to say the least) extensive.    
     Suits would be the standard dress six days out of each week for the next two years,  so their were suits to be purchased, dress shirts (6 long / 6 short sleeved), several pair of dress socks, as well as ties, and  sturdy dress shoes that would hold up to extensive walking.  I could go on, at the risk of boring anyone who reads this.  It certainly became apparent to us, why they give you four months to get everything in order.  It seemed like a lot of time back in May when Evan received his call.  But that time flew by really fast.  
     Any way, as much as I despise shopping (for anything) - well maybe not crafts - when all was said and done - you know what?  I'd do it all over again!!  What an experience he has to look forward to while serving the Lord and the people of Germany!