A Jumble of Emotions

On November 17th, at 1:00 pm we left Colton at the Missionary Training Center. It has been a little traumatic. Yes, I know that a mission is a great thing, he is exactly where I want him to be, it would be alot more traumatic if he didn't want to serve a mission, he will grow and learn so much, it will be a great experience, my family will be blessed and... any other words of wisdom we offer each other when a missionary leaves. But it still, selfishly, makes me cry.


Colton has always had a special place in my heart. (Some people even think he is my favorite.) I have always been very protective of Colton, This possibly stems from his dad dying when he was barely four. When Cassidy and Colton were little, everyone loved Cassidy. She is a little bit of a suck up, which causes lots of people to like her ALOT. Colton is not a pleaser, he is very true to himself and sometimes he comes across a little indifferent. I have said many tines in jest, that Colton is harder to love and so I needed to love him more, because he wasn't going to get it from anyone else.

I am proud of Colton and his choice to serve a mission. I love that he does not conform and always finds a way to show his unique style. I am happy that he realized it was important to do well in school. Even if that meant taking "the nerdy, smart kid classes," instead of classes with friends.

The next 2 years will be the best/worst years ever. In the words of Colton's best friend, "It's good thing it isn't 7th grade Colton going on a mission. Because 7th grade Colton would get sent home for beating up his companion."

Don't Go Around Breakin' Young Girls Hearts...

The Wonderful World of Disney

A few of the things I learned on my vacation:

Never visit Florida when they are having record breaking temperatures

Colin has a wacky hat fetish


Taking crazy pics passes the time during a thunderstorm

Still a fan of 3D glasses

Hidden Mickeys!!!


You are never too old for face paint


Bats are NASTY
(Seriously, we witnessed a bat rape)

Vacations are more fun with good friends

I will never live in Florida because my hair will look like this!

Donald is still the favorite

This is our new favorite.

Deklin and I have a lot in common:

POPCORN

and "Debbie Juice"

Colton is always ready to "go back to the room."

What Was I Thinking??!!

My actions last week have caused me to question my sanity. The chain reaction started with not knowing what to get Brian for his birthday. He had given me several ideas, but they were just lame things he would buy himself. Then came Dr. Oz. Dang you Dr Oz!! As I was getting ready for the day, Dr. Oz was on. I wasn't really watching, but I could hear him stating how good walking was for you and if you needed motivation you should get a dog to walk with you. And finally, I am an insomniac!! Not being able to sleep led to looking at puppies on ksl.com. Looking at puppies on ksl.com led to this:

Seriously...Who could turn down that sweet, little face?

I Love To See the Temple

I love to see the temple

I'm going there someday

Yesterday we had the opportunity to attend

the temple with Colton

There is nothing better than seeing your children

making good choices and becoming successful adults

Staying true to his personality, Colton did NOT think a

haircut or a clean shaven face was needed
Is there really ever an inappropriate time to take the
funny face picture?

We ended the day with lunch at, of course,

Tucano's Brazilian Grill

Missionary Shopping with Colton

In the car:

Colton "So, how many stores do we have to go to?"
Mom "I don't know. We probably want to look around a little."
Colton "I just want my suit to be thin."
Mom "It needs to last 2 years."
Colton "Ya, but I just want it to be thin."
Colton "If we find everything at the first store, can we go home?"
Mom "We should probably look around a little."
Colton "But if I find what I want in the first store, can we go home?"
Mom "We'll see."

First store:
Suit area:

Salesman "What color do you like? Black, Charcoal, Navy?
Colton "Charcoal"
Salesman "That looks like it is the right size for you? Do you like it?"
Colton "Ya, this one's good. Mom, I like this one. It's comfortable."
Mom "Don't you want to try on a few more?"
Colton "No... this one's comfortable."
Salesman "You need 5 extra pants. They are right here."
Colton " How 'bout 2 gray, 2 black and 1 navy."

Tie area:

Mom "Are these ties ok? They seem a little loud."
Salesman "They are fine. Just don't wear the bright ones in the MTC."
Colton "Can I get the pink one and the white one?"
Mom "You need a couple more."
Colton picks plain black and plain navy.

Shirt area:

Salesman "How many do you need, about 8 short sleeve?"
Colton "These are good." while picking up 8.

Shoe area:

Mom "We might need to look around for shoes, because Colton is a freak about comfort."
Salesman "Oh no, these shoes are the best ever...blah, blah, blah."
Colton tries on 3 pairs.
Colton "I want the first ones and the last ones."
Mom good brands, did not protest.


Mom "Colton, don't you think we should look around?"
Colton "No, I'm good."
Colton "Are we going home after this?"

Leaving first store:

Colton "Are we going home now?"
Mom "Colton, we still need to get a few things."
Colton "Can't you get those without me?"
Mom "Colton, we need to do a few more things?"
Colton "OK, but can we go to Panda?"

Not quite the same as wedding dress shopping with Cassidy.

I don't want to go off on a rant, but...

I consider myself a fairly tolerant person. I am generally willing to give people the benefit of the doubt, but there are somethings I can not let go: PUBLIC BATHROOMS and WOMEN. I just don't get it. I see ladies entering and exiting stalls, I see them washing their hands, fixing their makeup. They don't look like they grew up in the back hills of Mississippi, they don't look like they have an aunt, sister and cousin that are all the same person. These ladies look like they have been taught manners, they understand common courtesy. So, I just don't get it. I understand that germs are bad, I don't like them either. But does their aversion to germs trump all other bathroom users. Do they not realize that in their quest to stay germ free, they leave a splattering of germs for the next user to deal with? I just don't get it.

If you fall into this category, let me give you a little advice: WIPE OFF THE TOILET SEAT! (Preferably with a Clorox wipe.)

My Little Phelps

This summer, Colin has been on the Riverside Swim Team. On August 1st he competed at the Utah County Championship Meet. Colin placed first in the 25M Breaststroke, 9/10 yr old boys, with a personal best 21.72 seconds.

Colin learned to breaststroke a few years ago and it is his FAVORITE stroke. He has never lost a race. This year he had some serious competition and was a little nervous before the race. But he swam his best and came out on top. (OK, he couldn't help himself: right before the wall, he did have to look over to see where the other swimmers were. Maybe next year he'll break that bad habit!)

"Baseball is like church: Many attend but few understand."

Take me out to the ballgame

Take me out with the crowd

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack

I don't care if I never get back

Let me root, root, root for the Braves team

If they don't win, it's a shame

For it's ONE

TWO

THREE strikes you're OUT

At the old ballgame

The Lord Works In Mysterious Ways

Colton has been working diligently on accomplishing his pre-mission goals. But with one slip of the hand, his dream was shattered. A few days ago, while shaving and trimming his redman beard, his hand slipped. He had no choice but to shave it off. My only regret is that I did not get a better picture before it was gone. He had about 10 days more growth after this pic was taken.

I Want To Ride My Bicycle...I Want To Ride My Bike

I woke up this morning to this:
Promptly went to the emergency room because of this:

Andy, the tech, got to work repairing this:

Left the ER with this:

Went home to recover looking like this:
This morning, while riding his pedal bike up Diamond Fork, Brian had a run in with a Cattle Guard. He was about 7 miles from his car and, of course, no cell service. He started to walk his bike back to his car, when some good Samaritans stopped and gave him a ride. (Only the 2nd car he had seen during his ride.) Amazingly, no facial fractures. But tomorrow Dr. Johnson will be "firing a couple pins" into his hand to repair the break.

Moral of the story: Always wear a helmet

P.S. We had a "Dr. McDreamy" in the ER, but I did not get his picture. Dang!

Public Service Announcement

I don't know how many of you suffer from "remote control dysfunction", but in our house this is a frequent problem. When watching TV in our bedroom the remote controlling the satellite has to be held at the perfect angle and position to be effective and if someone is on the right side of the bed, you are totally out of luck. FRUSTRATING!!!

If you experience these difficulties, I have the answer to solve your troubles. DO NOT point the remote towards the television, DO NOT point the remote towards the receiver, DO NOT point the remote towards the dish...DO point the remote against your body. Seriously, put the remote up to your chin, your chest, your leg (the fatty part works better), really just about anywhere. I know this sounds like a Crazy Witch Doctor Remedy, but if it works WHO CARES???

My sister, Larinda, tried this and was not as successful as I was. I had her try it while we were on the phone: Maybe her cell phone interfered, quite possibly she was doing it wrong, or maybe she isn't as magnetic as me.

This discovery may have just saved my marriage (studies show that disputes over the remote control are the leading cause of divorce). I wish you all the same success I have experienced.

It Is Good To Have Goals

Colton received his mission call and will be serving in the Brazil Londrina Mission. He leaves for Brazil on November 17th, 2009. Here are a few goals Colton is working to accomplish before he leaves for his mission:

• Read the Book of Mormon


• Study the Preach My Gospel handbook


• Learn more about Brazil


• Buy and beat every PS3 game released between now and Nov. 15th


• Grow THIS beard:

Stay tuned for updates on his progress.