Random

Joey is such a pain in the bum, but he always wants to be in the picture when we take a quick one for Owen.  

 Gator learned how to play Skip Bo and she taught me.  We spend a lot of down time playing this game. 

 Mornings are getting cooler.  And that makes it so hard to get out of bed in the morning.  Especially when she stole Owens warm cozy Fremont blanket. 

 Davis's team played Syracuse last week.  They played so good.  Only 3 games left for the sophomores.  Crazy that high school football season is almost over.  I am so sad. 

 After a good win, it was a perfect time to celebrate National Chocolate Milk Day. 

 Football game #2.  This one started off scary, but varsity finally woke up.  It is exciting to be asked to dress varsity as a sophomore, but he'd really like to be able to play and he was so close tonight.  Like helmet on running on the field and the stupid clock ran out. 

 Gator and her friend Sydney.  These 2 can't wait until they go to Rocky so they can be back in the same school. 

 Saturday was a bad bad day to go to Petsmart.  They were having a pet adoption, and I very nearly couldn't get her out of the store. 

 Visiting Grammy and Bahkey for Sunday dinner last week, we had to take some pictures for Owen. 

 Davis wasn't feeling good.  It is cold season.  But Oreo's and milk always help. 

Frightmares

Tonight we joined the crowd and went to Frightmares.  It has been so warm, that everyone is still out doing stuff instead of hiding inside.  Davis didn't get a pass this year, but I had told him he could still go to Lagoon once.  He decided to wait for Frightmares so he could be crazy and go to all the haunted houses.  So we picked up Blake and Millie, met Krissy there and went to play.  Davis actually met friends there so we only had him for a couple hours, but we all had a good time!

Some pictures from Owen

I googled this Elder Stewarts badge.  It says Starszy Stewart.  He must be going to Poland.  In Polish Starszy translates to "older" so he is Elder Stewart as well. 

 I'm so happy to see his smile and his goofy side coming out.  I am excited to email with him on Thursday, but these pictures get me through the week. 

 Not sure what is going on with his hair in this picture.  Looks like he just actually went outside with how he had it in the picture above.  But I still love the smile.  The badge on this missionary in the statue says Elder Stewart. 

Animal love (Gator not me:)

Gator went to my co workers house and rode horses.  She had a few followers walking along behind her.  I wish I had the money to get her a horse.  I think it would be so good for her.  We will just keep visiting other peoples, she's getting to know quite a few this way.  

 I guess Saturday was animal day because later in the evening, we took Joey to the park.  He loves all the attention on him.  It was fun just watching Davis and Gator play with him and together.  I still think this dog has been good for them and them getting along. 

Still keeping busy

I'm not going to lie, it is a struggle having Owen gone.  I don't like it.  It makes me realize how soon Davis will move out, and then Gator.  And I hate it.  I hate everything about the idea of my kids all moving out.  Gator did a volleyball camp this week.  She actually had two.  One at Rocky and one at a friends gym that owns ICE volleyball.  I really hope she keeps enjoying this and working at it, she really is in need of something to fill her time.  I've also got a call into ice skating lessons.

The dog continues to be a huge pain in my behind, but I realize that if we didn't have him, I wouldn't be able to take cute pictures like these ones.   I don't want football season to be over, I just want Davis home more so he can be the one to take care of Joey and not me.  I didn't want a dog.  

They are doing in class what we did this summer with the books and movies.  They started with the BFG then had a BFG party this week.  This is one of the books that Gator liked best during the summer, so she didn't mind reading it again. 

I've never had to take a lunch break at work.  I was able to just work straight for the day, but this year I'm not so lucky.  I have to take a lunch break.  I packed up my scriptures, and I sit outside in the shade and do my scripture study.  It is perfect, and I've quite enjoyed lunch break this year. Owen has sent home his first week of thoughts and he had a bunch of scriptures that I wrote down so  I could read them and understand a little more how he is feeling.   

We had homecoming week early this year.  It was a couple weeks ago.  Here is Davis and his friend Kennedy after the homecoming game.  

 He is nursing a foot injury, but he isn't letting it get him down.  He'll play on it and hurt for days afterward.

 Davis and I went over to watch his friend, Kennedy play soccer after his game this week.

 I love football.  It's always more fun when Fremont wins, but I know there are lessons to learn from losing as well.  I just don't always like those ones.

We finally heard from him

So Owens pday is Thursday. I guess they thought since they just got there last Wednesday, they didn't need to give them a pday last week, but we finally got an email yesterday.  And actually we emailed back and forth pretty much all day.  It was awesome to "talk" to him.  He is very homesick which breaks my heart.  I put my own broken heart aside and tried to help him, but I don't know if I did much good.  I cried all day at work, but my co workers were amazing and let me email him and cry. He went in knowing the MTC would be a struggle.  He is a mover and a  very active social kid.  It is killing him to be in one place all the time.  He feels very closed in and claustrophobic.  He is having some fun though, he loves his district and thinks there is a very attractive sister missionary in his district.  He shares photos through out the week on google photos, so we get to see his face and some of the things he is doing.  He said they have to have fun, or they would all go crazy.  I had an answer to my prayers yesterday.  They went to the temple and Clarks aunt works at the Provo temple on Thursday evenings.  She found him and gave him a big mom hug.  Owen said that hug was very needed, and I cried because of the tender mercy.  It is hard, and I still haven't gotten out of my funk, but I do hope the spirit will help me.  I think once he gets to Cincinnati, his personality will explode and he will love exploring and getting out and around.  I think people will be drawn to him.  His first step is to make it to October 1, that is when he leaves the MTC.   He has shared some very spiritual experiences though thus far, and I know Heavenly Father is with him.

 This Elder is also a future ISU Bengel

 Owen loved having some friends from Fremont there his first week.  They've mostly flown out now, but he loved getting to see them and that helped him those first couple of days.

3 days down

We did it.  We took Owen to the MTC.  I can't say that I enjoyed it at all, nothing about the day was fun.  And the last 3 days have honestly been terrible.  I am praying that he is happy and not homesick, because we are sure missing him.  I know all the cliche answers and in my heart I do know he is where he is supposed to be and he's doing the right thing, but it still sucks, and I still actually hate it right now.  I am hopeful my outlook will change, but for the moment, I hate it.  He emailed a little blurb saying he was there and fine 30 minutes after we drove away, but I haven't heard anything else since and I am dying.  I did receive a huge blessing today though and I had a couple pictures texted to me from moms of friends that are also in the MTC right now.  Owen was excited to see friends that had already left for their missions.  I am excited to start hearing awesome testimony building stories, but tonight I am sad and I miss him terrible..............
On Tuesday, the day before he left, I took the day off work and we went to the temple and to lunch together. 

We stopped for breakfast on our way to Provo Wednesday morning.

 His first companion is a kid from Fremont.  They actually have played football together for the 3 years of high school.  I guess that is a little comfort of home.