A Little Bit Of Heaven

It's just as I imagine Heaven to be.....all your family gathered together.....a spiritual feeling of love for each other....I love it!  This weekend it was Austin's "farewell".  He was asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting before leaving on his mission.  Everyone gathered on Friday at our home.  Griffin, Whitney, Caitlin, Ryan, Kalli, The Longs, and the Bjorn Trejo's, including Cort all came to spend the weekend with us.  Saturday was so hot that we had to go to Ross Park swimming to cool off!  We had a barbecue that evening.  Sunday was a wonderful day.  Austin gave an awesome talk.  It was funny, touching and brought the Spirit into the meeting as he bore testimony.  He talked about some of those who had helped him in "becoming" a missionary as Elder Bednar talked about in the Oct. 2005 conference.  He told how his dad's commitment to Heavenly Father first was such an impact in his life. He talked about Chris Yost and how his example of service and being his home teaching companion for 5 years shaped his life.  He got emotional as he talked about the McSpadden family and specifically Brad and how he had helped him as his Quorum advisor.  He also shared how Griff had been such a good example to him and the trip to Colombia made such a big impression on him and how it made him want to serve a mission.  He told of Nephi and Alma the Younger in the Book of Mormon and how the scriptures prepared him.  He bore such a sweet testimony.  I have no doubt that he WANTS to serve a mission more than anything at this moment.  

We had a big gathering for lunch after church.  So many friends and family came to send Austin off.  It was so fun.  Later in the afternoon, Bill and I went with Austin to get his Patriarchal Blessing.  President Finn, our previous Stake President, is the Patriarch.  We love him so much so it was such a blessing to have him place his hands on Austin's head and be the mouth piece for Heavenly Father.  I can't describe the Spirit and the strength of the blessing Austin received.   All I can say is the veil was very thin and He must have been a very valiant spirit in the pre-existence.  We are so blessed to have him as our son and as part of our family!

 Kira was at Ross Park with her dad when we went to go swimming so she came over to say Hi!
              Kira, Avi and Branson

 Branson was so tired that he wouldn't get in the seat to come home.  He rode like this all the way from the pool crying.  It's a good thing we weren't too far from the pool.

 While we were at the pool playing, the boys were hard at work at home building a fire pit.

 Even Bill got in the action!

 This is at the luncheon after Sacrament Meeting.  The Watt family were very good friends of Austin.

 Austin and Kalli....Oh! how he will miss his cute nieces.

 The Trejo's and Langum's were so nice to come all the way for Utah to join us.  Yes that is Alex in the background being goofy!

 The Hall's slipped out of their ward to have a bite to eat.....along with the Williams/

 We are blessed with the best family ever......Ashley, Gary and Mason

 There he is again....We love Alex too and he is just like family.

 Such great friends.....Doug and Stephanee Mower.

Austin loves Utah football and Coach Whit.  He came to Austin's talk and Austin had to show him his "Ute" bedroom.  These are two of Austin's favorite men.....His dad and Coach Whit.

 We have such a supportive family....Mindy, Ashley, Grandpa and Whitney.

 Our former Bishop Poole, his wife Kendra and our own "E".

 The McSpadden family that Austin calls his second family.  Brad, Chandler and Stephanie.

Austin and his "friend" Brooklyn

 This is how we all felt after the festivities.....Cort, Griff and Whit.

 The cutest girls ever....Maddie, Gabby, Avi and Kira.

 aka.....the energizer bunnies!

 Jordan and Mal

So grateful for the Long Family.....a true blessing in our lives!

19 on the 19th....HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUSTY!

Happy Birthday Austin!  As I reflect back on the past 19 years with Austin, it makes me smile.  From the time he use to sit in his swing and purr, sing at the top of his lungs, "That Thing You Do", follow Griff around to his sporting events dressed in what ever uniform Griff was in or being Bill's shadow and wanting to do everything just like him.... he has been a joy.  We have had so much fun watching him grow and enjoying his sporting events and attending sporting events with him. The next step in his life with be another adventure which will bring us even greater joy.  I absolutely love having a missionary!

 Celebrating with a Birthday dinner...Paige, Kirstin, Kira, Erin, Chandler, Austin, Trent, Orlando, Rhonda and Josh....

 Such good friends.....Chandler, Austin, Trent and Orlando

 A "Rose" (that's Kira's middle name) among thorns! (:

 I love this smile and this boy!

 Asphalt pie....the perfect birthday cake!

 Rhonda gave Austin a 2 year? (maybe not) supply of dots!

 Always have been best friends....always will.....Aust and Daddy-O!

Josh, Austin, and Jordan....he will miss them and they will miss him.

4-WHEELIN' FUN

Josh and Jordan spent a few days with Grandma Cindy....their favorite thing to do.  They rented a razor, a 4 seater four wheeler.  They not only had fun....but they got awfully dirty.  Just what boys love to do!

Jordan in his signature stance....

Such a cute boy....Oh how I love him dirt and all.

Here comes trouble....two peas in a pod....Josh and Kirk.

Hold on to your hats....Josh is driving....at least I think that is Josh! (: (Josh, Kirk, Cindy and Jordan)

OUR DAD...

We love our dad!  Whether he is being a Stake President, sports fanatic, workout manic.....he is a lot of fun.  On this Father's Day we honor him for all of these things.....especially these two pictures that make him uniquely "OUR DAD"!

Harley Davidson has nothing on our dad....doo rag and all!

He and Lee chauffeured for the Prom when Griff and Whit went together.  Do you think anyone recognized them....love the belt buckle!!!

Los Angeles Temple.....Beautiful

While we were in Los Angeles, we went to the Temple.  It is beautiful and the biggest Temple I have ever been in.  The rooms were hugh.  It is such a blessing to have Temple's all over the world.  No matter where you go, the Spirit is incredible.  I love to see the Temple and I love to be IN the Temple!

Families are Forever!

DODGERS BASEBALL......

What happens when Austin is put in charge of getting our tickets for the Dodgers baseball game?  Seats right behind home plate!  And boy was it fun.  Bill, Austin and I flew to LA to watch a couple of Dodgers games before Austin leaves on his mission.  We had great seats and got to see two fun games.

Not bad, huh?

Austin and Bill both in blue...I think that is a first...

Magic Johnson sat down a few rows from us. I watched him graciously talk to anyone that came up to him and took pictures with everyone.

Looks serious...umpires getting ready.

The guy next to us brought his glove just in case a ball came our way.  Why didn't we think of that?

Hopefully one doesn't come right now....Daddy O would be in big trouble!

After the first game....the Dodgers lost to the Angel 3-2.

Austin is a Dodger fan thru and thru.

This was outside of our hotel....Austin and I wondered if Bill would come out here and dispatch in the middle of the night.

The second night our seats were great, too.  Right on the 3rd base line behind the dugout.

The Dodgers hit a home run in the 8th inning to win the game!

A little happier the second night with a win.

We couldn't get Bill to leave after the game!

Such a fun time with each other.