To Love

 So does Molly.
 I made these with homemade whole wheat tortillas.
 Look at this masterpiece!
 Andy's homework seems foreign.
I make lovely bread.
 These two ran their first cross country race.  Maddie took fourth and barfed at the finished line.  Nick took 12th and was practically crying.  This was the hottest day of the year.
 These three were so patient.
 Nick is in the center with that navy jersey.
 Eddie found a clever way to work on his spelling homework.
 Matching suits -- we still swim everyday.
 Pretending that I don't miss Meg, because I do.
 Andy and his friends showed up for lunch.
 The ward swim party was lovely. 
 Andy finished up his merit badges and is ready to get his Eagle project done!  Yes!
 Andy does his homework.
 Tonight we visited the grandparents.  They always fill us with treats and love.
Where is Maisie?

 They have princesses on them.
 Molly was not a huge fan.  I think she kept them on for 10 minutes, max.
 FHE swimming.  I'm sure I mentioned that our hot-water heater is out.  So for ten days we've been swimming to keep clean, then running inside to cold showers to shampoo.  It's kind of the worst.

 But, that did mean that we spent every evening in the pool together, so it was worth it.
 Just Molly and me at home.  We both try hard to keep her from getting bored.
 Ryan needed a few more shots.  He didn't cry.
 I promised him a stop at Maverik.  He chose that eyeball, and he helped Molly choose her sucker.
 Wednesday we spent hours packing this little miss.
 Thursday she looked like an orphan.
 Almost everyday she found time read and snuggle her little friends.
 We all really love her.  Here is our last family prayer.
 Friday morning she left pictures and notes for us all.
 Our ride to Provo was pretty quiet.

 She needed to stop and get a sickle-cell anemia test for her NCAA running.
 Here is her dorm!
 We are in the fish bowl of the Benson building.  Austin spent hours in here studying.  We left campus for a quiet evening at Mom's house with Campbells.  Ron and Jace stopped by.
 Then, that next morning we said goodbye.  After lots of tears and lots of hugs, we flew home.
Austin and I were cold in the airport, so we actually sat outside in the heat.  (Oh, I read The Outsiders while en route.  It was a lovely book.  I needed something to help me judge others less and see their goodness more.)
 Sunday morning these boys played cards.
 These girls got their hair curled.
 Molly did not like it.
 Sunday afternoon we fed the missionaries and headed to the grandparents' house to simply be together.

Our life forever changes now.  My darlings will really grow up and leave me.  My prayer is that they will continue to make and keep sacred covenants, stay "golden" by loving God and serving others.

(This is an excerpt from my journal.  I didn't want to retype it, so no need to read it, really.)
Saturday we said a very tearful goodbye at the airport.  I watched them drive away until I couldn’t see them anymore.  We didn’t say much on the way home, but we did sit together and feel each other’s warmth knowing that she is destined for success.  This is the phase where she chooses to keep her covenants and make new ones. What dawned on me is that college is a sacred space. She gets to go and learn just for her.  Then, after she enters to learn, she can go forth to serve. I felt a bit of jealousy at this thought, but I quickly realized that Earth is a sacred space. I am here to learn and go forth to serve.  I am in this space to grow and keep my covenants and trust in God’s hand to direct my life and lead me to live with Him again. All of this because of the Savior; He removes the condemnation without removing the law, because of His sacrifice.  I am here to be a living sacrifice. I am here to make it back home.

 Grandma is away with Rachelle's new baby so Grandpa comes in the evenings.  We feed him, but he feeds us.  He asks just the right questions and listens and loves each of us.
 Monday night was back-to-school.  We dropped off supplies and watched these lovelies climb all over the monkey bars.
 Tuesday was our very last day of summer.  We ate our annual "HOT LUNCH" dinner.  No one complained.

 I made a lovely quinoa salad for those of us who went through the "HOME LUNCH" line.
 We love this Grandpa.
 Andy is 16.  He is entering 10th grade.  He is a builder.
 Maisie is 13.  She is entering 9th grade.  She is a creator.
 Four little friends headed to MVP.
 Nick is 12 and entering 7th grade.  He's very true.
 Maddie is 10 and entering 5th grade.  She is very good.
 Eddie is 7.  He is entering 2nd grade.  He is very strategic.

 Ryan is 5.  He is entering kindergarten.  he is very kind.

 Molly is 2.  She is begging to go to school, but I won her over with promises of swimming and cookies.
 Here he goes!
 Sweetest little guy.
 "I just want to be by Ryan," she sobbed.  We cried all the way home.  Then we swam with friends and made cookies and ate them.
 Ryan was so excited to show me "what he got."  He jumped off the bus and tore open his bag to show me his work.
 I was so glad to have them back.
 We swam.
 Thursday morning Molly and I lazed around all day.  We began with scriptures.  She is lucky and doesn't have to share her treat.  Molly was ready all morning to swim, and we finally made it out to the pool for an entire hour of cool water.
 I took her for a croissant.  We both needed it.
 Our hot water heater went all the way out.  We bathed in the pool and then rinsed off in a freezing cold shower. 
 Grandpa stayed all evening and Meg noticed that they matched: green shirts, birkenstocks, glasses, watches and pose.  She thought she was so funny.  He was a very good sport.
 Friday morning Meg kept Molly and we three went to the temple.  Bruce taught us what he has learned in his decades of learning more about our Savior. 
 Home again where Meg and I watched a movie with Molly, hoping that time would slow and next week wouldn't come as quickly.
 We finally went shoe shopping as a family.  Maisie found a beautiful photo opp.
 She and Makena wanted to go to Maverik dressed up.
 And today is Sunday again -- our very last day worshipping on the bench weekly.  All together.  All unified in our faith and eternal familial covenant.  I tried not to cry, but I still did.
 Here we are in the chapel.
 RS together.
 After dinner we played "Love Letters" and sang hymns for Emily.
We are so happy as a family.  How blessed we are to know the truths of life -- loving God and others.  I hope that's what each of us can do.