Wow, it is crazy. I have a week left before Cory leaves for his mission for 2 years. He has grown up so very fast. It has been amazing how when President Monson changed the age for missionaries to now go at 18 how it brought into action Cory serving a mission at 18. All the other boys were 19 when they left for their missions. Cory is ready and waiting to go. We will SO miss him especially as we will only have one child left at home until Chad gets back in January. It is what is right for him and the spirit has borne witness to me of this. I am grateful for the spiritual feelings that help us know what the Lord wants.
As Cory has been getting ready to go he was given the opportunity to go to his oldest Brother Arlee's wedding in the Las Vegas, NV temple. If the mission age hadn't been lowered Cory would not have been able to attend so this was extra special. He has also been able to go once a week starting sometime in July until the day before he leaves to work as an ordinance worker. What a wonderful place to learn and grow and to prepare one for life. I have been able to go with Cory to the temple for the past 3 weeks. It has been an awesome time to spend with him as we serve in the temple together and as we drive through some of the horrendous Denver traffic. Actually since we are both going it hasn't been as bad as some of the times since the High Occupancy Vehicle lane is open for us going both directions. This really helps with the traffic. The drives have been a special one on one time.
Ellaina is adjusting to High School and Early morning seminary. She likes having open campus as she can go to Qdoba for lunch. She has finished taking flute lessons and can play beautifully. Now she is going to focus on violin. Ellaina also has become quite an accomplished pianist and can sight read fairly hard songs. It is awesome. She has been playing Les Miserable songs that are so beautiful.
Chad is doing well on his mission and we have received the word that he will be released and home on January 9th. So he only has 4 months to go. He is doing well in Georgia. We are grateful for his letters every week.
Aaron and Emily just moved to a new apartment in Rexburg as they found a place with lower rent that wouldn't give them a hard time about Snuggles. They just went to their new ward this past week. Aaron has finished his Associates at BYUI and is currently getting hours of Physical Therapy observation, working as a custodian in the wee hours of the morning and working as much as possible with people with mental disabilities. Emily is continueing with her Beauty School and will be done sometime around the beginning of the new year.
Arlee and Tuawana have now been married since July 20th and are doing well. Arlee got a job with Las Vegas High School teaching English as a Second Language, History and a class that is goal oriented. He seems to be enjoying it. Tuawana is taking care of him and writing poems. She wrote me a really sweet one thanking me for raising Arlee.
Our Dog Gid is getting bigger and bigger lumps on him but he seems healthy and happy. He is a joy to our family. He still runs 9 miles a week most weeks. Cory gets him to "speak" which is really jumping up before he gets a treat. It just cracks us all up when he tells him to speak and Gid jumps up instead.
Brent and I are keeping busy trying to keep up with everything. We are so grateful for our lives and for the Gospel that helps us know our Savior better. We are also trying to train for a marathon. Fun, fun, fun!
