Sister Koenig

About ten days prior to B leaving, I was a wreck! I kept telling myself it was a combination of other responsibilities, but as those responsibilities were finished, and I still felt a mess emotionally, I realized it was just stressed.  Generally speaking, I am mostly capable of keeping things pulled together.  But I just couldn't get things together.  I felt like crying every time I turned around.  It was difficult to watch her goodbyes.  Most difficult for me was when we took Davis to lunch right before we left to go to Provo.  We dropped him off at school and she gave him one last hug...both had tears in their eyes, and I had to send D back to school!  I guess they do like each other.

Some one told me sending a child on a mission, is "the best kept secret in the church."  I agree, if we knew how it would feel, I am not sure we would do it.  But I guess we do it because we know it will bring such growth for everyone involved, that we sacrifice for the greater good.  I won't lie, I didn't like it one bit.  It was the most difficult thing I have ever done.  The feelings in my heart and head were so confusing for me.  I knew it was the right thing, and was so happy it was happening, but my heart hurt.

We met my brother, his wife, and daughter, who was entering the MTC on the same day, for lunch just before going to the MTC.  We saw so many missionaries getting ready to go to the MTC.  The people at the restaurant call it missionary Wednesday. When we were dropping her off,  I asked how many missionaries enter that day...650!  So exciting.  It was fun to take some pictures at the Provo temple before with the girls.  They will be amazing missionaries!

She left on the 2nd of October, we received a letter written on her first night on Saturday the 5th, and then I waited, and waited, until the 10th for an email.  And that was all I needed, to know she was happy and wanted to be there.  I assumed that, but had to hear it from her.  I could already see changes in her.  So exciting to hear the happiness and spirit in her letter.  A mom just needs to know their child is happy!

She flew on the 15th.  We were able to talk to her for a few minutes at the airport.  She was so excited to get to Florida and teach.  So also said she wants to serve in Georgia and in the ghetto of Jacksonville.  I assume, she will have the opportunity to do both.  So the waiting started again... I was hoping either she or the mission president would send a quick email to let us know she arrived.   I finally got an email on Friday night saying she had arrived and would be serving with Sister Lawrence in the Brunswick, Georgia area.  I am currently not so patiently waiting for an email from Sister K with an address I can send a letter to. 

The good news, is that my emotions and mental status are much closer to  normal. (at least for me)  I am posting her letters at   sisterbaylee.blogspot.com   if you would like to follow her. 

 

D and B

 

Tate, Challis, and Janet

 Challis and B

 

President and Sister Craig

 

 

Good Things:

1.  being a little more emotionally stable

2.  Seeing growth already

3.  knowing your children really do like each other

Hoping to catch up next week...

so for now, just :

Good Things:
1. A happy missionary
2. My emotions a little closer to normal
3.  A marrow donor match for my friend

Precious moments

We got together one last time before B is off to the Jacksonville Florida mission! 

K and A came to be with us as we went to the temple for B's first time.  It was wonderful, and I can hardly wait until D can join us. There is such peace that the temple brings into my life, that I get excited when others can enjoy the blessings of the temple. 

 

 

 

We were also joined by Gram and Pa Carter, Gram Guisti, Brett, and friends who have had an impact in her life.  It was wonderful to have the support of so many.

 

We spent the next few days playing games and enjoying each others company.  Weston received a name and blessing on Sunday and that was fun to remember I was in the same place not long ago.  At least it seems not long ago!  Carters left Monday morning, and we relaxed by the pool for a bit before going to celebrate Gpa Guisti's 70th birthday with a family dinner.  On Tuesday we celebrated B's birthday with gifts, more food, and a few friends for cake.  K and A decided they didn't want to miss that fun and stayed one more day with us. 

 

K and A took off this morning after saying goodbye to B for 19 months.  It made me sad in a happy way, if that is possible. 

 

There is something about a sister's love that you just always need no matter where they are and how old you get.

I already can't wait until we can be back together again.  I am so thankful for the temples that make it possible for us to be together FOREVER in the eternities.  For now it is a temporary goodbye for these beautiful sisters.

 

 

 Of Course we had to do some family pictures while we  were all together one last time.

 

 

 

I love this family.  So happy I will get to hang these on my wall to see everyday until we are back together again.  Thanks for a great weekend. 

Less than one month until the rest of us have to say good bye.  Not looking forward to that, but I am looking forward to all the opportunities that await sister K.

 

 

Good Things:

1. getting the family together

2. Opportunities of growth

3. Temples

 

 





Ice cream toppings

Three months ago, I was asked to share the recipes I used for ice cream toppings at K's wedding dinner.  Finally, I am taking the time to do that.

Hot Fudge Sauce - from Thomas 3rd ( I believe) ward cookbook years ago
3 Tbsp cocoa
1/3 c flour
1 1/2 c sugar
Dash of salt

Mix together in a saucepan.  Add
1 1/2 c milk
3 Tbsp butter
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Cook over medium heat stirring until thick.  It will thicken a little more upon cooling...but really, who likes it cool?!  It will keep well in the fridge for 2 months.

Caramel Sauce - from Pingree 1st ward cookbook not quite so many years ago
4 C sugar
1/2 lb butter (sometimes I will use half margarine)
2 C corn syrup
2 - 13 op cans evaporated milk
2 tsp vanilla

Mix sugar, butter, and corn syrup.  Stir to dissolve sugar.  Cook to soft ball stage and add evaporated milk about 1/2 can at a time - about every 5 minutes, or when it starts boiling real good again.  Be careful, because the milk will cause it to splatter.  Cook until:

If I am using this as ice cream sauce: I just cook it until it is the right consistency you want for your sauce.

This is the same recipe I use for chocolate dipping, either straight caramel, of putting it over pecans for turtles, or adding anise oil for licorice caramels. All of those, it needs to be cooked until firm ball.
I using just use the spoonful in cold water method to see if it is firm enough.

When your consistency is right, add the vanilla.

So there you have it! Enjoy!

My baby is 15!

 

Happy Birthday to D! He is growing up too fast, soon our home will be empty.  Fifteen years ago he arrived a little before we had expected, and things have never been the same.  He is growing up to be a fine young man. I am so proud of who he has become.  He is thoughtful, sensitive, funny, intelligent, kind, responsible, hard working, helpful, confident, huggable, and mischievous.  So glad he joined our family.  I love you D.

 

Good things:

1.  growing up

2.  fun kids

3.  families

Called to Serve...

http://instagram.com/p/ajfp0ANlU0/

This girl has been called to serve a mission for  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Jacksonville, Florida mission!  So excited for the opportunity she has to share the gospel and her talents with those waiting for her.  She is going to be a great missionary, and will touch the lives of those she serves.  I can't wait for this adventure and am proud of her.  You will  be awesome Sister K!

On a side note, this conniving sister, would have kept this a secret until she received her mission call, but she needed some insurance information to fill out the application.  She told me on Mother's day when I asked, "anything I need to know about"  "I am going on a mission," she said in her sweet little voice.  So she finished her papers, did physicals, and dental, and met with her Bishop and Stake president one last time, and things were submitted. 

We hoped for her call to arrive on Wednesday.  Her roommates did.  We hoped again for Thursday, nope. We were sure it would arrive on Friday June 14, and it did...that was a long 3days of waiting.  Now we just have to get her ready to go.  She will enter the MTC on the same day as her cousin Challis who will be serving in Columbus Ohio.  B's cousin Austin will be serving in the Macon, Georgia mission which borders her mission.  About a third of her mission is in Georgia.

Congrats Sister K!

Good Things:
1.  Surprises
2.  Missions
3.  Opportunities for growth

Night of Boxing

Davis is in blue gloves

  Truth be told, I am not a fan of boxing!  The nausea started about 3 in the afternoon.  I assumed it would subside right after his bout, which was the 2nd one, thank goodness.  However, it actually continued until after I got home.  I not only didn't  enjoy seeing my child in the ring, but all of the others as well.  I turned into Mama bear mode for all those kids.  And watching the girls was worse. 

But the good news is D took the fight with a TKO in the 3rd round.  There were 3 1 minute rounds with 1 minute rest in between.  I was really concerned after the first round, but he got serious after that.  I think the first round he may have been in shock.  I am proud of him in a weird sort of way, but really would prefer not to do it again.  My deep hope is that we are at the end of his boxing career.  But if he wants to do it again, I suppose I would support him, nausea and all!  It was good for him in the training sense, and I believe really pushed him to go beyond what he thought he could do.( I love that feeling) 

Good Things:
1.  bucket lists (that is a one time thing right?!)
2.  sense of accomplishment
3.  no permanent damage

Pat his personal boxing trainer

I just have to note, it was so difficult to get any picture during the fight.  Low light, with a spotlight, no flash, quick movement...nightmare!