Set Apart as a Missionary

On April 12th, the day before he left, Grayson was set apart a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by our Stake President, Bill Grayson. Another member of the Franklin Stake Presidency, Murray Johns also stood in. Joining our family for the ordination were Michelle Bennett, Connie Thomas, and Ed Thomas stood in. 

Proud family

Best buds

It was our Stake Conference that day, and we had a visiting general authority, Elder Craig Zwick from the 1st Quorum of the Seventy, who we hoped would be able to stand in, but he had other responsibilities when we were doing it. Grayson and I did get to meet him and his wife, Pat, afterward and they told him that their granddaughter had been called to the Barcelona Spain mission and would be leaving soon. We asked if her last name was Zwick so he could watch for her, and they said, no, it was Eyring. Hmmmmm... an easy one to remember if she and Grayson happen to cross paths!

We LOVE Technology!

On April 12th, the day before Grayson left, we SKYPED with Chris' family in North Carolina. I have to say I LOVE technology that allows us to do things like this! (The next Skype will be with our missionary on Mother's Day...)

Rogan (6) and Colton (7 1/2)

Addie (3)

The whole family saying "BYYYYYE!"

Such a Busy Time...

This is a little out of order, because this very BUSY time actually started back in November when he got his call. I had forgotten since our last  missionary (who left in 2002) all the many, many things that it takes to prepare them to leave! I guess that's why they gave us 5 months from the call to the departure. 

The lists...oh my! The doctor appointments, the clothes, the STUFF, the wisdom teeth pulling, the drivers license, the background checks, the passport, the VISA, the interviews, the shopping, the many, many things that have to be done! Plus, the fitting in of as much family time as possible...such a busy time

Such a handsome missionary-to-be!

Dinner with the parents and bro

Hangin' with best buds, Davis & Thomas

More last suppers...

Going to the Provo MTC to meet with the Spanish Consul and get his VISA --
and meeting up with lots of other missionaries who are going
 to the Madrid MTC on April 13th! 

While he was in Utah getting his VISA, he got to spend some time with extended family and friends -- which was AWESOME! Grandma and Grandpa Dove came down from Rexburg, and he got to see aunts & uncles, cousins, and his sister Randi and 3 nephews! I have just a few photos, but will get some from others, and update this post soon. 

Visiting his lifelong friend, Hannah at BYU (literally...born 8 days apart and
been friends ever since). Hanging with her and her friends...

Grayson with his sister, Randi, and Andrew, Cielo & Bryson!

Loving being "Uncle Grayson!"

Grayson's mom's siblings: Corinne, Dan and Lori

Fun With the FAM Before He Leaves!

It was so fun to have the Chris & Nathalie here for Grayson's big week -- although Chris spent most of his time helping us work on the bathroom and kitchen. We didn't even have a guest bathroom for them to use while they were here! Thank heaven for one working tub/shower (for 9 of us) and for a YMCA nearby! There were tubs of stuff, tools, and CHAOS everywhere.

But, of course, Chris and Nathalie were gracious -- and the kids, obviously, were adorable....

The night they got here, Sam was working at Culvers, so
that's where we went for dinner and frozen custard!

Lots of game playing went on, and the girls took the kids to see "Cinderella!"

Addie offered her assistance in measuring and helping with renovations.

Sam had two soccer games while they were here...
one was warm and one FREEZING! Gotta love Tennessee.

Addie loves to have books read to her...and LOVES her Uncle Grayson!

Cutie Patooties!

Chris & Nathalie showed us how to use our new juicer. Yumm-o!

Rogan fractured his little finger while they were at Pinkerton
park playing football. They had to go to the clinic and get
 it x-rayed and wrapped. He was so cute telling us all about it.

We used an old pasta maker to try to make "Ice Cream Spaghetti."
We did it years ago with much more success than this time! So we just
ended up eating ice cream in bowls with berry sauce...haha!

These guys are all going to miss each other!

So cute!

Nathalie gave Grayson a haircut the night before his farewell, out on our deck.

Love my boys!

Grayson's Farewell -- March 22, 2015

We were very exited to have Chris, Nathalie, Colton, Rogan and Addie come from North Carolina to join in the festivities for a week in March. We had Grayson's farewell, he went through the temple, and we fit in as much house repair/remodeling as we could during that week, too! (Photos of THAT another time)

After his farewell we went next door to the (Nashville) Temple and took photos. Grayson went through the temple for the first time just two days later.

Love this picture! Just wish Randi and her boys were here, too!

Chris, Nathalie, Colton, Rogan and Addie

I Loved the Socks -- Grayson was on the left and the most conservative,
and had the newest shoes! HAHA! I guess that's appropriate for being the
missionary. And then cute little Colton feet, Chris and Sam.

Grayson Opening His Mission Call - 11.14.14

Grayson Opening His Mission Call -- November 14, 2015

See Video Here: Grayson Opening His Mission Call