2009 In Review

Even though 2009 has been one of the hardest years of our lives, it has also been one full of excitement and fun. A family vacation to Hawaii, Larry's trip to Alaska, graduation, football, basketball, a mission call to Chile and just everyday memories. It has been a year full of wonderful memories.

 

MTC

We got the very best Christmas present on Christmas Eve...a memory card with over 90 pictures of Elder Hunsaker at the MTC!! Just to share a few of our favorites...

Elder Hunsaker and Elder Kent...his companion from California


Elder Kent, Elder Hunsaker and Elder Hewlett (He loves Elder Hewlett...he is one of his roommates)


The "Name Badge"


Some days the MTC drives him up the wall...LOL


Elder Smith and Elder Hunsaker (these two grew up together)


I think this is his zone/district but not sure


Crutches....can you guess how....yep basketball!!

A Missionary Christmas Poem

This year for Christmas I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving
The thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus,
my decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks--no fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because...
This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple,
Felt strength come from His words.
I've reread November's Ensign, and my testimony stirred.
Our family prays more frequently.
My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because,
This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers gave their sons to war.
Or how the Pioneers chose Zion - their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton.
For two years we will pray for him.
I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking.
I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard.
His choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand.
This year, I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter,
I think I finally understand.
Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns,
That all his packing is done.
My gift has taken years to make.
This year...I'm giving Christ my son.

Elder Hunsaker

The Family (the night he was set apart)

Grandma Lu and Elder Hunsaker

Saying Goodbye to Coco

A brothers farewell...(this one hurts my heart)

Brothers

A quiet walk

Elder Hunsaker at the MTC


Getting ready to go...


The final wave...





Farewell my son...may Heavenly Father bless you and keep you safe. I love you with all my heart.

A mothers thought...

What does a missionary mom do the week before her son leaves (besides stress out)...

1. Watches her son quietly sleeping early in the morning.
2. Melts when he puts his arm around her to tease her in the middle of the store.
3. Savors the quiet moments rubbing his back while we sit on my bed to watch a TV show.
4. Sheds a tear when he plays his silly ukulele from Hawaii...he only knows one song and I will so miss hearing it.
5. Take every hug he will give
6. Love when 6 friends are hanging out at our house laughing and teasing each other for the Jordan Hunsaker farewell weekend
7. Pray that I have thought him enough....
8. Pray that he can have the courage to fulfill a mission.
9. Remember not to look at baby pictures...that rips your heart out.
10. Soak in every minute, moment and memory that I have left with him before he goes to serve the Lord.

Congratulations Matt!!

Congrats to Matt for making the 2009-2010 Northridge JV basketball team!! Way to go Matt...we can't wait to see you hoop 'em up!!

I love to see the Temple

There is nothing better than being in the temple with your future missionary son....I highly recommend it!!

Happy 19th Birthday Jordan

Happy Birthday to my handsome 19 year old today!! I love you to infinity and beyond!!

Mis-sion-a-ry (noun)

Someone who leaves their family for two years so that others can be with their family for Eternity.



I have to keep reminding myself of this quote lately as my heart is just aching big time that Jordan will be leaving in less than a month. I truly will miss this boy with every fiber of my being...but he is doing it for other families and for the Lord so that is what is important.

Happy Birthday Coco!!

Today is our puppy's first birthday!! Ok so I am obnoxious putting pictures of her on the blog but she deserves a birthday wish too!!

Coco when we first got her. (She is actually 2 months old here)


Happy Birthday Coco-bean!! (I swear it looks like she is smiling)

Homecoming 2009

What a fun ending to Homecoming Week!! After a great football win against Roy on Friday (35 to 0) the gang all got together on Saturday for a fun day and night at the dance. Half of the group (Matt's group) went miniature golfing in the afternoon and then later in the evening they all gathered at Blake's house for pictures before dinner. There were 25 couples all together in their group but not all made it to the pictures before....good thing, I could barely get them all in the picture as it was. LOL. They ALL went to dinner at Ruby River and then to the dance....what fun High School memories!!

My handsome young man!!


Matt and Alyssa (We were soooo happy to find a shirt and tie that matched her dress perfectly!!)


The group


The couple close up...


The "Boys"


Matt and Brock...doing who knows what?


Carson, Blake and Matt

Let the shopping begin...

Eight weeks from today I will have said goodbye to my son at the MTC and he will have spent the first night of the "Best two years" of his life without me :( Well, since we only have a short time left....let the shopping begin!!

Traumatic Evening

Ok...note to self...when you can't find the puppy and then find her out chewing on "something"...go check right away. I found Coco had "stolen" from one of the neighbors a tube of Desitine Cream. She had eaten through the tube and most of the cream. She had it all over her legs and mouth...and smelled pretty strong of Desitine. Well...a short time later she started to throw up...and throw up...and throw up...and well, the other end also. (Not to be graphic but you get my point.) She threw up twice in my house but made it outside for all the other times. Then she just layed around and hardly moved...making me pretty nervous. You could tell that she just didn't feel good.

Now...as I am worrying over Coco our carbon monoxide detector went off and wouldn't quit. Oh great...frantically calling my neighbor to see who I call...(she just had to call a few months earlier)...she says, "Check your batteries." Ok....so I have NO double A batteries in my house....I am sooooo not prepared for an emergency can you tell...What an eye opener!! I ran to the neighbors and borrowed some batteries from them and also an extra CO detector from another neighbor. The batteries were the problem thank heavens!!

Man it has been a traumatic night...and also, an eye opening experience that I need to go through some "basics" around our house and see what we have and need. Also, I need to take heed to council from a General Authority that came a few months ago and talked to our stake and then our stake president reminded us again Sunday to have a GOOD supply of water!!

By the way when I ran to the neighbors...Coco ran with me...and jumped around a dog out for a walk....I think she is feeling better and over it for the most part.

I have had enough for tonight....I am going to bed!!

Happy Birthday Matt--What a winner!!

It is Matt's 17th birthday today! What does one do on your 17th birthday....well, you get up early for school...


In the afternoon you play in a JV football game...


With five minutes left in the game you have the score tied....catch an interception and run it back 25 yards for the touchdown....and WIN the game!!


What a great present for Matt!! Happy Birthday Football Stud!!

Future Missionaries....Party On!!

Ok...so this was Jordan and Kolby before Jordan opened his mission call. They were "killing" time and trying to get Jordan's mind off of the call. I laughed as they came out dressed funky...and Kolby said, "the future missionaries are off to golf!!" It just brought a smile to my face.

So many of you have commented on the "party" we had for Jordan's mission call. Well if you know Jordan of course you know that he is Mr. Social. Anyone he saw was invited to the "opening" of his call. I LOVED it!! It was so fun sharing the day with 45 people in my back yard and 9 more that came later that night. Yes it was quite a party but we did it Jordan's way...and we couldn't be happier!!

Called to Serve

Dear Elder Hunsaker:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Chile Vina del Mar Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2009. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language.


(Jordan HAD to hold his cousin Kenlee...I think it calmed his nerves!)