A delay...

For those of you scolding me for not updating Alex's address with his new Mexico address as of 4/21/08, please be advised that he is still delayed. Feel free to keep sending his letters / cards and care packages to the MTC! When I asked him in e-mail if there have been any updates on his travel to Mexico City he replied "nada"... seems he's picking up the spanish! :)

"Hi Mom"

Today I had a small miracle happen, or as Wendy would call it "A Father in Heaven story". Let me start by saying... I get calls to my cell phone all the time with unknown numbers and I NEVER answer them. I figure, whoever it is, can leave a message, and when I get around to checking voicemail, I'll call 'em back...
Let me also say that I am horrible at answering my cell when I'm at work! Unless it's a work call, and a known person - I'm pretty lame at it. I'm just super busy, so anyone that knows me knows that it's hard to reach me during the day WHILE I'm at work..
OK - here is the miracle... and how it all comes together!
My washer broke on Saturday, so the GE Repairman had to come to fix it today. Once he came, and left, I was on my way to work. I'm driving in my car, and my phone rings. I look at the number, and don't recognize it, but.. I'm driving.. so I figure, I'll just see who it is.. As I pick it up - my finger hits the little button on the side that sends it directly to voicemail. For a split second I think - I'll just find out who it is later... then - I hit re-dial and dial the number back.. I have no idea who it is....
Mystery Person = "Hello?"
Me - "Uh, Hi" (I still have no idea who it is)
Mystery Person - "Hi Mom"
Me - (screech my car to the side of the road) "Alex - what are you doing?" (giant lump in my throat).
Alex - "Our VISA's were delayed so I get a 5 minute pass to call and let you know that we are not leaving on Monday as planned"
Ahhhhh - Pure Heaven!!!
The best part of the story is - a few minutes into the call "Hey mom, there is no timer on this phone, so I don't know how long we've been on - can you check your phone and see?" I check - "ah oh - 8:04"... Alex said "well it's an honor system thing, so I gotta go". Again... best, most obedient boy ever!
Everything lined up in my favor today:
#1 - I wasn't at work and crazily distracted
#2 - I called the number back
Now I understand even better Elder Benar's talk about "Tender Mercies".

A striking similarity!

If Alex had stepped back just one step, you would also have been able to see the fabric softener in Josephs' pack!

"My Life"

Alex sent a box home with a bunch of stuff he didn't want to "haul to Mexico". He also sent the memory card for his camera so I could empty it and send it back. He calls the pictures and video "my life". These are my two favorite pictures.

This is his desk... I love how important his family and friends are. He has surrounded himself with the people he loves, even though he is far away from them.

He sleeps on the bottom bunk, and calls this his "sweet fort". Some things never change and I am so glad!

I just wish he could have more "FUN"!!

Some recent photo's that Alex sent home from the MTC! I'm sure he's getting a lot out of all his hard work!! I'm so proud of him!

Is it weird? version 2

Is it weird if I see Alex's long time friend Jake in the grocery store with his mom, and walk up and ask him to hold me?
Thought so! Dang it... I'm missing 19 year old boy hugs!

It's ALL in the attitude! II

I got a letter from Alex today.. This portion of the letter was written after the 2nd session of conference on Saturday. Keep in mind - they are all gathered in an auditorium in full suit and tie for all 5 sessions:
"I think attitude is the most important thing on a mission - for example, a kid a row behind me said "this sucks, I would rather be on my couch at home for conference", and all I could think was... that is completely the wrong attitude. I looked at it as how grateful I am that I have the opportunity to be on a mission and to even have the priviledge to be able to watch this conference and receive the counsel we receive from the apostles. I'm just grateful for everything I have and that God has blessed me with. I think it's all about attitude."

Oh brother!!

Of all the things that I'm bad at... Birthdays are my worst! Typically, I completely forget, but if I remember, I generally remember on the wrong day!
My brothers birthday (50+) was on April 4th - what could be a better gift than having your photograph splashed across the internet.. You can't put a price on that!!
Here are my top ten favorite memories of my brother! Some will only have meaning to the two of us! I love you DKM - Happy Birthday!
10-Striped Carpet and a sweet bunkbed
9-Elton John's - Crocodile Rock
8-You hated the song "Afternoon Delight", so I did too
7-Taking me to "Grease
6-The Utah Stars and Red White and Blue Basketball's
5-Your Boy Band
4-Holding my ankles next to my ears....
3-Bogart
2-Clothespins
1-Your Example - (never underestimate)

Two of my Favorite "Dad's"

It's ALL in the attitude!

I got a letter from Alex today and I noticed, in reading this letter and others that he's written, that he has never said anything negative since he left home. The following example is an exerpt from today's letter and shows you that it's all about your attitude...
"I'm really grateful for Elder Berry in my room. He has the worst gas I've ever smelled. Sometimes it actually makes my stomach hurt. But I'm grateful because nothing will smell bad to me anymore - because nothing is worse than a "Ber Bomb".

Duncan's Big News

My friend Wendy's little boy Duncan had big news when we were over there last week! News that he couldn't tell - he actually had to draw it out! It took him about 1/2 hour because you can see the level of detail, especially in Slash's cool shades!!