A baby blessing

Baby Madasyn was blessed by her daddy on Sunday, November 9, 2014.

This is baby Gregory on his blessing day, Oct., 1990.

Pretty Rosy.

Day 9:  Missionary service

This month marks a year that  Greg has been home from his mission.  I'll be eternally grateful for the two years of service he gave in Costa Rica.  It was both a blessing for our family and a blessing for him.  I loved watching his testimony grow and seeing his transformation from boy to man.  I'm grateful for the opportunity that all my sons will have to serve a mission.  Our next boy, Johnathon, will now be eligible to go in May at the age of 18!  As our leaders told us today in conference "the work is hastening," and I'm honored to loan my sons to this great missionary program.  

A month of gratitude

I'm taking Stephanie's http://barefootinthekitchen.blogspot.com/ advice and posting each
day during the month of November on the things that I am thankful for.  I know I'm a
couple of days behind, but better late than never!

Day 1:  Boys that are happily married!

  I'm so thankful that my two oldest boys are happily married.  They both married great girls that are perfect for each of them.  Mike and Greg are good husbands and providers.  They are growing and learning things together, and it is a joy to watch them.  They set great examples for me as well as 
their younger brothers.  I'm not gonna lie, it wasn't easy for me to have them leave my nest and get married.  I felt like Iwas handing my baby to another woman to raise! It was a strange feeling.  But I love these girls, and I'm happy to have them in our family.

Hard to believe that these two little guys

are grown and married...and both are

expecting their first babies just nine weeks

apart!  How fun will that be?! I'm hoping

it will cure my longing for another little one.



"Joyeous!"

That's how I feel about the fact that Greggy is home!!!

He comes home today!!!

One Year.

Yesterday Greg reached his one-year anniversary in the mission. It's been the best experience EVER!

Six Months. (and it's gone by so fast!) We love you, Greggy. And we miss you, but there's no place we'd rather you be.

Update on Elder Romney...

Greg has been gone for 3 1/2 months already! The highlight of my week is receiving our Monday e-mails. I have to set the timer for 15 minutes to force myself to do something other than check my computer! It seems I can't focus very well, until I hear from my boy!

Greg loves Costa Rica. He's been humbled, obedient, faithful, and has lost 12 pounds due to his picky eating! He's having a hard time learning to eat things like cow stomach.

He says he can't believe how spoiled we Americans are. It's true.

His only request has been for us to send lots of candy! He finally received his care package this week. It took way too long to reach him...five weeks!

We miss this boy, but we are absolutely loving having a missionary out serving the Lord. He's such an example to our family.

Greg's Farewell.

Out to dinner before he was set apart.

Leaving for the MTC!!!

Elder Romney and Elder Shreeve

We're going to miss this boy, but there is nothing else
we'd rather him be doing. We are so grateful for
his desire to serve and his worthiness to do so.

Hope your Halloween was a thriller!!!

Pomeroy's Men's Store!
Yesterday I had the privilege of
going with Greg, to shop for his
mission clothing. We went to
Pomeroy's on Main Street.
My good friend's father owns the
store, and after years of visiting Michel
at the store, it was my turn to shop there!

Michael Rudd was awesome with his knowledge and help!!!
Thanks, Mike!!!

Elder Romney is well on his way to
being ready to leave.
(And he paid for everything himself!!!)

P.S. If anyone needs missionary clothing, Pomeroy's really is the place to go!!! They know just what you need, why you need it, and they give a big missionary discount!

Greg got his call today!
He will be serving in
the Costa Rica, San Jose mission.

He will be reporting to the
MTC on the exact day that
his good friend, Jake Shreeve, reports...
November 18th.

Costa Rica is exactly the type of place
I hoped he would go. It will be perfect for him.

Happy 19th Birthday Greg!
We're so excited...he puts his mission
papers in this Sunday, and his
call should be here the 26th of this
month!

Mission Prep Step #8Removal of four wisdom teeth.

(I'm off to get Greg a Jamba Juice for the second time today.)

Seminary Graduation

Greg's High School Graduation!

Johnny, Mike, Greg, and Scott
(It rained the entire graduation!)

Me and my boy

Mike surprised Greg with a visit
from North Carolina.

Greg showing off some dance moves on the field
after graduation. This one is called "the jerk."

Somebody needs money for prom.

"Overboard"
Greg and Karen
at the Mountain View
Sadies dance.

Their day date consisted of going to the mud caves.
He said that it was so much fun. I had to just
throw away the clothes he wore, because they
were too muddy to ever hope they would
come clean again.

Plans are well under way for his last and final high school dance, prom!