February 2025

Here are a bunch of pictures from Alaina's time in the MTC in Brazil.  From all that she said, it was pretty much a fire-hose of information while deep diving into the language.  But she was still smiling all the way through it.

Valentine's Day 2025

For Valentine's Day, Robert was in California spending time with his mom.  She had just gone into the hospital a few days before Valentine's day, and her health was declining quickly.

I spent the day eating some yummy food and hanging out with three of my boys.

Here are a couple pictures of Mom.

When Mom first went into the hospital, the intensive care doctors didn't think she would last the night.  In fact, they were pretty sure that she wouldn't.  But, Mom is really good at proving doctors wrong.  Even though she rallied, her cancer had really spread by then and she knew that her time was coming.

It was sure good to see that smiling face.

 

February 2025

February brought us so much fun and goofiness while we enjoyed having Austin home with us.

Here the boys are, showing how blind they are when they take off their glasses.  (Emmett does have a pair of glasses, although, I'm pretty sure he doesn't need them.) 

 

It was a hard for Austin to come home from his Mesa-Arizona mission.  He pushed his body probably longer and farther than he should have, hoping that he could overcome his injuries with sheer will-power.  Unfortunately, he needed a little more than that.  He needed doctors to help him know just how and when to start his rehab.  He needed time.

 

While he did get time to heal, he didn't get even a day of a break not being a missionary.  A few days before he came home, I got a call from the Service Mission President and his wife, for our area.  They wanted all the details of what Austin was able to do and what he wasn't, how long his rehab was projected to be and what his interests were.

By the time he walked through our door, this wonderful couple already had several projects for him to work on to help the missionary work continue.  It was such a seamless process, and it helped Austin feel like he could contribute even though he wasn't able to move off the couch. 

At this point, we had no idea what the injuries were, or just how extensive the recovery would be.  All we really knew was that Austin was in a lot of pain.  Having him set up as a service missionary made all the unknowns, easier to bear for him.

We didn't know this would be the start of a 6 month journey, but it was sure nice to have him back home, so that we could help take care of him.

While Alaina finished her home-MTC and left for her mission, life went on for the little boys.  Here are a couple of co-op pictures from Jason's group.

 

The Big Cross-Over.  January 28th, 2025

So.  The bad news, first.  Austin's accident did too much damage for Austin to stay out on his mission.  He did all he could to see if his leg and arm would heal on their own, but he finally had to come to the realization that he'd have to come back home to heal.

The amazing news?  He was able to really fly in late in the evening of January 27, and be there to leave really early in the morning to take Alaina to the airport.  

The boys and I said our goodbyes at home while Robert and Austin took Alaina to the airport.

Here's the visual.  One coming and one going.

I love these two sweet missionaries!

One last twinnie picture, and...

Off she went.

 

What does one do on the eve of leaving for a mission?

Apparently Alaina and Robert decided to watch and follow a Bob Ross painting.

They both were so pleased with themselves.

Look at those happy little trees!

After spending the first couple of months trying to get Austin to send me a high quality picture of him for his missionary plaque, I learned my lesson.  I took matters into my own hands and decided we needed a Laina-missionary photoshoot.

Jason thought that this meant, a Laina-Jason photoshoot, so he got in a couple of 'em.

Now, even though Alaina is an easy person to take photos of, the problem always is choosing my favorite.  I had to pick only one picture for the plaque, but here on my little ol' blog, I can put as many as I want down.  I sure love this beauty beauty.  Enjoy.

 

Now that the pictures were taken...she was ready to fly.

(I'm crying.  shhh.  Don't tell.)