Times a Flying.....

8 years ago when Christopher left on his mission, he gave his brothers a tie tack with the sign language I love you and a future missionary badge. From the time Jordan was ordained a deacon until Christopher came home Jordan wore his old jacket (which was my grandfathers) and that tie tack and future missionary pin. I found this picture the other day and I could hardly believe how time has flown by. It makes me really think....Am I accomplishing all that I am suppose to be accomplishing? It really seems like yesterday and that this little boy is still my Jordan. But nope....

Here he is now (well a year ago)!!!

 Today we celebrate 1 year for our missionary. We are so proud of him and the things he is learning on this adventure in the Dominican Republic.

 This is Jordan's Best friend from birth. They are 3 weeks apart and they have always been buds. David is serving in Brazil and I know that it will be a great day when they can be together again and share these experiences. David left just a few weeks after Jordan did. We are so proud of both of them.

 Jordan was the last missionary to be set apart by President Gulbransen before he left to be the mission president in Argentina. It was a really wonderful evening in our home.

 Doesn't he look ready!!! I love this picture and those crazy glasses.

 Here he goes. It seems like yesterday.

We stopped at the Hunts, his other family to give them hugs on the way to the airport.

And Grandma and Grandpa Welkers too

Connor, David, and Tyler all came to the airport to bid him farewell. Such good boys. We miss having all these boys in our home.

Saying good-bye is never easy, and Jordan says of all the things he will miss it is these babies growing up and changing. Lexee was 6 months exactly the day he left and now she can go to the nursery this Sunday. But the babies all know him and can point to him in every single picture. Cody and Stephanie sure do miss their brother.

I was really trying to smile, but I was also trying not to cry, so I guess this is the best look you get from me. I really don't have a hard time letting my children go, but a two year go is not as easy on me, but it was a wonderful day, and I actually did pretty good.

He was so ready to get started and he has done so well.

This was at his farewell, Christopher and Rachel lived in Flagstaff then and could not make it down for the actual day he left. Baby Anna is now 2 1/2 and there is a precious 6 month old baby boy Calin that Jordan has never met. He will be in the nursery when Jordan comes home :)

Here he is headed for the gate, last smile till 2012. Isn't he the best.

 Jacque and Curtis (not pictured) live in Logan going to Utah State and so she picked their really good friend Jesse Porter at BYU and they picked Jordan up at the Airport, took him to lunch and then dropped him off at the wonderful Provo MTC. Jacque and Jordan are really really close, and I know that it meant a lot to Jordan to have her be there for him. Thanks Jacque for always being such a good sister.

 Here they are dropping him off. I love this picture of the two of them. They adore each other so much.

Here he is in the MTC with his first Companion Elder Winters.

I cannot believe that it has been a year today. It has been such a great ride. He is doing really well, having some hard lessons to learn, but is staying positive and loving serving the Lord. He is learning so much, mostly how much our Heavenly Father loves each of His children. He knows who we all are and he is aware of our needs and who is ready to hear the gospel. We miss him every day, but we would not have him anywhere else but there for now. Happy Hump Day sweet boy. Here's to another even more amazing year.

We all love you so much.

What a great, crazy, wonderful, amazing, happy happy happy day!!!

Yesterday I spent a wonder 15 hours plus with these amazing women, L-R Kathy Knight, Linda Bang, Dianne Burden, Me, Janet Williams, and Betty Brown. We hopped on  plane to Ontario, CA at 7:30 a.m. and went to a wonderful quilt show there. I have never been to a quilt show before and I have to say it was quite the experience. One you have to save up for, that's for sure, but so worth every single second. The day began with introductions because a couple of these women I only knew their names. When our ward boundaries changed I got the pleasure of meeting these amazing women. It has been nothing but a treat to share time with them and get to know how great they are. Anyway after we landed we decided we were way early so we thought we would walk to the convention center. It was only a mile and half away so we did. It was quite the adventure. We trucked through freeway traffic, mud, bushes, railroad tracks, stickers like you can't even believe and crazy California drivers that don't care where you are walking at. It was so fun. We chatted and really got to know each other. I felt so lucky, tired cuz I am fat!!! but so lucky to spend time with them. It was a beautiful day and that made the walk even better. Once we got there and got in I was in total awe at the talent of people. The quilts were beyond believable. The handwork and thought process and technique were like nothing I had ever seen. I love to quilt, but I am simply a patchwork girl. The easier and faster it can go together the happier I am. These quilts must have taken, well I can't even estimate. We were not allowed to take pictures, so my wonderful old memory is going to have to do it for the pictures. Then there were booths. Never ending booths, of fabric, machines, gidget gadgets of all kinds, amazing patterns, thread in every color and then some. It was simply mind boggling. I had landed in heaven!!! We split up and went wherever we wanted to go and met up for lunch and shared our goodies that we had found so far, then we went back in for more. This show lasts for 3 days and I am telling you there would still be things I had not seen at the end of 3 days. I am actually glad (as I am sure that Herbs wallet is as well) that I only went for a day. Not only would we be broke beyond broke, but you might never have seen me again. I might have died in there of happiness and we simply cannot have that now can we!!!

 Below are the fabrics that I limited myself to......hahahahah!!! I know, but wow I could have had a piece of every single thing in there. Everything was so yummy.

We called a Taxi at the end of the day and headed back to the airport. This time with backpacks full of beauty and wonderment waiting to be created. We laughed and shared and enjoyed the journey more then I could have imagined. So thanks for inviting me girls, and thank you Herb for letting me go and have the time of my life. It was a journey I won't soon forget......and that's a good thing.
Amazing creations coming soon!!!!