EFY Medley

Jordan had asked for a copy of the EFY Medley, As Sisters in Zion/We'll Bring the World His Truth as he and some other missionaries are going to sing it as a special musical number. Tonight I decided to google the title, and came across a gorgeous rendition of it on youtube. I've always loved this arrangement and been close to tears when I hear it, but this time the tears were flowing by the end of the song, thinking of my two missionaries, serving and sacrificing. Our youth truly are the strong, valiant followers of Christ who will be the ones to carry on His work in the challenging years to come. Just thought I'd share this beautiful piece. Click on the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVHhcHOj7NI and enjoy a few peaceful moments.

Elder Jordan Ritter

We've had such wonderful events happening around our home lately, and I wish I would have been better about my blogging. Last Sunday was Jordan's farewell talk and goodbye get together at our home. His talk was excellent, on the scripture, "Be thou an example of the believers." He was very well prepared. At the get together, we had close to 80 family and close friends, but everything went smoothly. The pictures we took are on Jordan's camera, so none to post here! Thanks to all who came and supported Jordan. I was a little stressed about feeding and hosting that many people, but everyone was so supportive and helpful. It was a wonderful day.

Tuesday, January 20 Jordan was set apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I realized late Tuesday night that we had missed Jordan's appointment for his last set of shots. So Wed. morning early he and Nicia (he needed a companion) went to get his shots. It turns out that in November they actually gave him the wrong shots (how can that happen???) so he will still have to go in for one more set of shots before leaving for Mexico in March.

Wednesday, January 21, was the big day Jordan had been waiting for for 4 months, the day he would enter the Missionary Training Center and begin his mission in full-time service to the Lord. Late that morning we continued our tradition of having lunch beforehand at Magleby's Restaurant. We got camera happy, so here are a few pictures of the crew at lunch:

Elder Jordan Ritter

Smiles from Nicia & Andrew

A proud Mom

Another proud parent

Alyssa chowing down on the breadsticks (they're to die for)

little sister, big brother

Jordan, Justin, and Grandpa Bascom enjoying the moment

Then it was off to the Missionary Training Center in Provo where Elder Ritter will spend 2 months learning Spanish and preparing to teach the gospel in Mexico.

Elder Ritter and Justin

Elder Ritter and Andrew

Elder Ritter with Grandma & Grandpa Bascom

Jordan takes care of the administration stuff at the entrance of the MTC, and we all go into a large meeting room filled with families and missionaries, several hundred people. They hold a short meeting with the MTC president and his wife, and everyone sings "Called To Serve", which is just an awesome experience. We're advised to use the "taking off a band-aid" method in saying goodbye, the quicker, the better. We all give Jordan hugs and kisses, and a few tears are shed as it will be the last time we see him for 2 years. It's an emotional, but joyous time. Jordan leaves through one door, and we leave through another. I peek out the door Jordan has left through and watch my child who is grown up now, walk down the hallway and around the corner. A young man prepared and ready to embark on a wonderful journey as he serves the Lord. My heart is full as I leave the MTC, and I feel such a gratitude for all my blessings, especially the blessing of my children serving full-time missions for the Lord.

'TIS THE SEASON......

'TIS THE SEASON......for DECORATING THE TREE

I'm can't locate one of my Christmas boxes that has the garland in it, so, we're garlandless this year. I'm still missing not having a real tree, so just might have to break down and get one next year! (we've been without for 3 years now) I'm grateful for a tree, each ornament, and decoration, and the beautiful symbolism of them all.

'TIS THE SEASON......for CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND STORIES

Before and after decorating the tree, we sang lots of Christmas carols. I love both the music and stories and am so grateful that we can enjoy both all season long!

'TIS THE SEASON......for SNOWSTORMS (in Utah anyway!)

Although it's cold and awful to drive in, I'm grateful for the snow, since for us it means having enough water in the summer.

'TIS THE SEASON......for SNOW SHOVELING!

Like brother, like sister.....since Jordan was small, he has gone out and shoveled snow without being asked. Really a bonus for me! THANK YOU, JORDAN! And this year, Emily is right out there with him. It's cold in this picture, about 25 degrees. Please notice all the winter gear they are wearing.....really none. I guess Emily DOES have boots on, but that's about it! Both JoJo and Emmy are the "It's not cold", "wear shorts all year" kind of people....just for the record, they didn't get it from me! I'm grateful for children who shovel my driveway for me! (Gotta mention that Dave was out there last night shoveling too.)

'TIS THE SEASON.......for SNOW FUN!

Sometimes Emily DOES get bundled up if she's going to actually PLAY in the snow for a length of time. I'm thankful for a daughter who shows such joy and enthusiasm for big and little things.

'TIS THE SEASON.....for FRIENDS and HOT COCOA

taking a break from the snow and "chilling out" (or warming up) with a friend

I'm grateful for friends and family to share special and ordinary times with.

'TIS THE SEASON......for CHRISTMAS PARTIES

Dave's extended family had their Bascom Family Christmas Party last night. We tied fleece blankets to give to a homeless shelter, had a yummy dinner, a beautiful Christmas story, and the nativity. We are fortunate to still have lots of younger children to carry out the tradition of acting out the nativity. Sorry about the right corner of the picture. I was kind of in charge of the nativity so didn't get to see much of it, but the children were darling. We sang silent night when they were through, and it was a perfect way to end the beautiful evening.

I'm so thankful we have family who live close enough to make these special memories with us. I'm especially grateful for this time of year when we can take more time to focus on the One whose birth we celebrate and all it means for us.

Happy Birthday, Jordan - Happy Thanksgiving!

Jordan was lucky enough (or maybe not so lucky) to turn 19 right on Thanksgiving Day this year! Happy Belated Birthday! Here's a quick look back over the years at this handsome guy:

We had traveled to Grandma & Grandpa Danes' home for the Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving Eve we went to the local Mexican restaurant where G&G Danes treated us to a birthday dinner for Jordan. Thanks so much Mom & Dad!

We went back to G&G's home and had dessert with Bill & Karen who had just arrived.

It just doesn't seem possible that another one of my babies is grown and ready to leave the nest! Jordan keeps a happy spark with frequent joking around our home, and we're going to miss him terribly when he leaves! I couldn't be a prouder mom, though! Love you, Bud!

Muffin had just delivered her puppies the day we arrived:

For Emily it was love at first sight with the little pups!

We spent Thanksgiving Day at my brother, Jim's, home. There were about 40 people there - lots of good food and company.

At this time of year, I truly have so many blessings to be thankful for. Good health, the freedoms of our country, the gospel, and family to name a few. As I grow older, "stuff" means so much less to me, and family means so much more. I know my mom & dad's time is growing short, and it was a treasure to spend time with them for several days.

Weekly Happenings

First I need to apologize - I'm having trouble getting paragraph breaks to work in this post. I don't know why everything is running together. It makes it harder to read, but I can't seem to fix it.

Tuesday: Friends, frosting, and fun.

Emily and her friend, Alicia, had been working on improving their reverence in Primary. Their reward was baking cookies together, so here they are:

The only kind of cookie cutters I have are Christmas, so it was Christmas a little early! :) They had a lot of fun though, and the next day Alicia and her sister Katie both wrote thank-you notes to Emily and me. Emily promptly wrote a note to them and ran it over to their house. It's really nice that Alicia just lives around the corner from us. She's been a good playmate for Emily.

Wednesday: Dave's parents, Mom & Dad Bascom, had us over for a birthday dinner for Dave, delicious pot roast, potatoes, carrots, and salad, with apple crisp and ice cream for dessert. After being sick for a week, it was so nice that I didn't have to cook that night! Thank you, Mom Bascom!! We had forgotten our camera, so Mom Bascom has the only pictures taken that night. Only downer was that I broke a new bottle of Lighthouse Blue Cheese dressing right before we walked out the door. Darn!

Thursday: I finally cleaned off the bar and mopped my kitchen floor after about 3 months. It was badly needed! I should have taken a picture of the before and after...............So nice to be able to walk on the floor without sticking to it!

Friday: Dave & I went out to Red Robin for lunch to redeem his free burger and fries. We both tried something new that came with his burger: garlic parmesan fries. YUM! If you've never tried them, you need to!

Saturday: Flag Football. Our stake got together with a Provo stake for a men's flag football tournament. It's being held right here in our park, so I went out to watch Jordan for awhile. Here he is on the run: (one in front with white shirt and dark blue shorts)

Jordan absolutely loves any kind of sport, and it really is fun watching him. Plus Emily played in the park with Chipper while we were out there; it was a beautiful fall morning!

With being gone to California, catching up after the trip, and getting sick, I hadn't gotten any of the fall yard cleanup done yet. So I decided Saturday would be the day to tackle it. I repaired our broken leaf rake and got some leaves raked up.

(notice the "not so white" white socks)

Emily's annual fun in the leaves - we missed Caitlin for this!

Dave came out and tried to help, but the rake broke again, and we were out of bags. The BYU football game was starting soon, so I knew that was it for yard work that day. We did get three bags filled though. During the game I went and bought a new rake and more bags. Guess what we're doing for an early family night tomorrow????

After the game Jordan went with friends, and Dave, Emily, and I headed to Salt Lake to do some shopping at Linens 'n Things. We had gifts cards to use up, since their store is closing. We bought new drinking glasses, and some needed kitchen utensils. Then we met Bill and Karen (my sister) for dinner at Gecko's Mexican Restaurant for Dave's birthday, where they treated us (thank you Bill & Karen!) It's so nice that they live close enough we can get together once in awhile!

Sunday: I came in the kitchen and here's what I saw:

Chef Emily. She had put on Dave's cooking apron and was ready to make him breakfast in bed.

Emily made the toast, and I made an eggs, sausage, hashbrowns skillet thing - I think the scouts call it rabbit guts, so it doesn't look like much, but it tasted good!

Later, after probably a decade, I tried my hand at making homemade lasagna. It turned out really well. While I was at Nicia's she showed me how to make lasagna without cooking the noodles. So slick! Anway, homemade lasagna and homemade garlic breadsticks, and Dave was in heaven with another family birthday dinner. (with more family who wasn't with us on Wed.) I think Emily took this shot of us at the table..........

Opening presents: I love this next picture, so sweet.

Emily, her Daddy, and the coupon book she made for him.

I have so much to be grateful for, but I'm especially thankful for my family. I'm so blessed to be able to share the joys in their lives.

Weekend Highlights (including a mission call!)

Some weekends are good, but this one was GREAT!! Friday was Jordan's day off, so he helped me can some peaches that Grandma & Grandpa Bascom had given us. I don't have a picture, but we ended up with 21 quarts. Thanks, Jordan!

Hard at work

Saturday morning my friend and v.t. companion called to see if Emily would like to go on a short horseback ride. Since Emily LOVES horses, was she happy about this!

Going for a ride on "Sunny"

Emily got back from her horsey ride just in time to head out for her soccer game.

Playing goaly on the "Sharks" team

And......the most exciting news of the weekend happened Saturday evening when Jordan received and opened his mission call!!

¡Me han llamado para servir en el Cuernavaca, misión de México!

(I've been called to serve in the Cuernavaca, Mexico mission!")

Departure Date: January 21, 2009

Jordan is super excited, to say the least. He's been working hard and waiting for this time for awhile now. Cuernavaca is in southern Mexico, about 1 hour southwest of Mexico City. The mission is quite large and extends out to the coast, including 350 miles of coastline. The city's name means City of Eternal Spring. We've already started reading all about it, and the average temperature year round is 77 - 86 degrees. If he serves right in this city, sounds like it could be really rough. :)

I'm so proud of Jordan, though, and know he is going to be a great instrument in the Lord's hands.