To the Fathers (and Mothers)

I know not too many fathers read these blogs, but I am sure you will hear about this or your wife will have you read this. I hope this helps. One of my best friends left today to serve the Lord for two years. It is my son, but he has been one of my greatest friend to. See I was where most of you are right now. I had young sons and watching them play football or baseball and complaining that they don't get to play or the coach is dumb. When it doesn't matter, your sons(and daughters) just want you there. They want to look over and see you there cheering them on. They want to see you after the game and they want you to tell them they are the greatest. It doesn't matter if they were or weren't, they want to hear it from you. Take the time to take them to get an ice cream or dinner, don't take it home, sit there and talk to them. They will never remember the game, but they always, I mean always, remember the food and time with you. Also, do not let a day go by that you do not tell them you love them. Yes, they are boys, but if you can't tell them when their young, you won't be able, like I did today, to put your arms around your friend(son) and say to them "I am proud of you and I love You. Please don't let a day go by, because you have work or a meeting or your tired, because gentlemen, my sons life just passed me by in one long goodbye, as I watched him get on a plane to serve the Lord. Yesterday we were learning to play catch and today he is a man. I know that this might be dumb to you now, but today I need to tell you that it is real. Time will pass you by and you do not want to have any regrets. The video shows how fast he grows and you're gonna miss this. Let me add I cherish my daughters and that is a whole different story, and they taught me all about love and how important it is to have and show emotion. So my boys truly were lucky to have older sisters. And now my plea to the fathers "Your gonna miss this" the time will fly by and nothing, NOTHING is more important than the love of your boys (word and deed). All taught to me by very loving daughters. Tears will come and tears will go, but love will last forever!

It is Official!

The time has arrived and he is the Lord's. Today a very emotional day has come to a exciting end. Jordan was set apart as a missionary today. He has officially turned his life over to the Lord. He is ready to go and will be an incredible missionary. We had some tremendous words of advice from our Stake President and then had a wonderful blessing from him also. Thank you to the many, many people who have helped shape him into the wonderful man that he is. He has been blessed with great priesthood leaders, inspired Bishops and extremely loving and caring Aunts and Uncles. Thanks to those who were able to attend today. Thank you to the primary children he has worked with. You have all taught him LOVE. Also thanks to those who will watch him on Tuesday and Wednesday. We are very, very proud of Jordan and can't wait to here about his wonderful experiences.

Project Night

Ladies - (or really, anyone who wants to come) Jaime and I are going to start having Monthly Project Nights. The first one will be Tuesday October 7th at Jaime's house. Her address is 11511 Valletta. The cute tile is only $5 and the wooden stackers are$10. We will be taking suggestions for our November and December offerings. It should be a fun night out! Post a comment to let us know you would like to come. We plan on starting around 6:30 but if that is too early for you we will accept latecomers.

She is Amazing!

Well, my wife wouldn't put this on for her, but I was impressed, so I will post it. She and I love the show "Ace of Cakes". She wants to take a cake designing class and be able to make and sell cakes. Courtney wants her to make her wedding cake. So our granddaughter who loves Scooby Doo, was having a birthday and my wife decided to attempt her first cake. I thought it was cute, everyone thought it was cute. But her biggest fault is wanting to be perfect in all things(OK not such a bad thing) . She thought of all the things she could of done different, but of course we all do that. The hardest thing for her was the reaction of our granddaughter, She loved it, she was dancing all around saying"My Mystery Machine", "I love it" Hard to find fault in a cake when it was such a hit. Anyway I thought it was wonderful!

7 DAYS

I haven't blogged because everytime I do I start to cry! Last week was fabulous. Marc's brother from Utah was able to come down to be here for Jordan's farewell. It is a blast for my kids to have so many Nichols and Urmston cousins here in town and then cousins from up North also. We went to Greenacres for a softball game which was more than fun! There were some amazing plays and even more comical plays. After playing we came home and Courtney started yelling my name. I thought she had stepped on something or otherwise injured herself. She was shaking when I got up the stairs and held her hand out for me to see her BEAUTIFUL engagement ring. She and Brigham are officially engaged. He is a great young man who adores her.

Everyone else was out back swimming and cooling off. We scarfed down 10 pizzas and then kept swimming. When the sun finally went down, it was time to practice Uncle Peter's song. For the next hour and a half I kept walking in and out of the room trying to control my emotions. The spirit was so beautiful and I was overwhelmed with all that was happening.

I am selfish. I adore my boy and will miss him like crazy. He has been an angel since he was born. He is kind, considerate, thrifty, brave blah blah blah. I know I gush but he truly is a joy in my life and the only thing worse than having him gone for two years would be having him home when he should be gone. I appreciate everyone who has touched his life for good.

We have one more week with him and get to do a little of his favorite pastime- shopping. He is having a hard time limiting his wardrobe to what is on the list. He currently owns 70 tshirts that he must bequeath 60 of to his brothers. It should be a heart-wrenching week weeding out the wardrobe!

If you see me with baggy eyes, know I had another crying spell and just avoid the crazy woman that I am.