Chad's VISA is here !!!

Chad got his VISA this week. WOW! We are so grateful. Many elders have been delayed a month or more, and some have been temporarily sent somewhere else. So - this is GREAT NEWS !! And, he got to get out of the prison, (oops that's his words not mine --) the MTC two days in a row to see the Mexican Consulate. So - he will probably be leaving on the 13th. THAT'S IN 8 DAYS !!! The super great news -- we will be talking to him in 8 days !! I'm trying to prepare myself so that don't just weep the whole time. It reminds me of when the kids were little and we would be away. Ken would have to call and talk to them, because I couldn't do it. UGH! He's so excited !!! So - I'm excited for him !!!

Thanksgiving

Ken & Mc Kenna started our Thanksgiving with a 5K "Turkey Trot" for the Bentz' little girl. She has leukemia. Ken had already run his normal 5 miles. WHAT A TURKEY !!! (What's a few more miles right????)

We had a wonderful day at my sister Diana's. It was a VERY QUIET THANKSGIVING !!! So strange. But peaceful and nice. Bryce and Laura literally JUST had their baby, Zachary Paul Thurber. He came from the hospital to Thanksgiving dinner. It's "CHAD DAY" so I wasn't sure if we were going to get an e-mail. But - we did. While we were at Diana's. It was a treat to hear from him on the holiday. He began his day with a devotional from Elder Holland. His family was there and their grandkids even sang a primary song for the missionaries. This is the 5th apostle he has seen, and he thought they were going to see another last night. We survived our first holiday without Chad....... whew!! It was very strange for Kenna. 'Lena went with her Dad too, so Kenna was an only child. Like I said STRANGE !!!!

Is that Kenna with a FOOTBALL????

Pam & Zach

Madison & Uncle Ken

Anthem Tree Lighting

Every year the Outlets at Anthem have a beautiful tree. This year's tree is 101 feet. They have a big party to light it. This year we went because Jacob Bentz's band, Divide and Conquer, played. Jacob is Taylor Bentz's brother (Kenna's friend) and Bishop Betz's son (Chad's great buddy -- and one of the reasons he's on a mission).




Their band was AWESOME !!! And, it was lots of fun.

HALLOWEEN !!

I got this picture with a text: "Guess who I look like?" on Saturday night. Kenna was having a hard time figuring out what to be. Well -- she sure LOOKS LIKE CHAD !!! She sent him this pictue in an e-mail and today his e-mail said, "Those are my favorite boardies !! Can you send them to me." NOT!



'Lena carved her own pumpking this year (with a little help from Dad...) She loved taking out the "GUNK". That surprised me.

Life goes on ...

It took 9 days to hear from Chad. I was NOT worried -- but I am just so used to atleast getting a text from him. It's funny how weird I've been. Chad has been so independent (from a very young age), and it's strange now for me to be so worried about the "little" things again. Is he making friends??? Is he lonely??? Is he sleeping at night??? Is he being a good boy??? HAH! I just really needed to hear from him and hear the "phrase" that I have wanted to hear. "The Spirit is so strong here." And, that's what he said. WHEW! He is working on his Spanish. It's coming. He says that his companion is really good at it -- so he gets to feel "like crap" every day. (In good Chad terms....)

Life is going on. I got a terrible Strep Infection a couple days after Chad left that really "took me down". And then I gave it to Kenna. She was SO sick (104 degree temp - ugh), but she recovered so much quicker than I. Could it be age??? I am still struggling. I think the stress of the last few months has caught up to me. And, teaching a bunch of 9 year olds every day, all day, doesn't help. I'm constantly surrounded by germs.

We are trying to get into a routine. The house is empty and quiet. But - I'm really enjoing McKenna and her crazy "social" life. (15 and 1/2 year old girl ya know????) Thursdays are my new favorite day. Chad days. FUN !!!

Chad's gone .....

Oh my gosh -- this is HARD !!! Whoever says, "We just dropped them off and it was great...." they are LYING! It is so hard to imagine going two years with this pit in my stomach. Even Kenna misses him -- and they hate each other, right????

Brian, Ken, and Chad flew out to Salt Lake yesterday morning at 7:30. There were several of his friends there to say goodbye. Everyone tried to keep the mood light, but it was difficult to keep smiling. Ok, so I didn't. What a big baby I've turned out to be. Haji serenaded us with his rendition of "His bags are packed -- he's ready to go...." Just made me cry harder.

I kept thinking all day, "What time is it -- where is he?" And then at 12:00 our time (1:00 Utah time) I knew he was getting close to the curb ..... and the phone rang. Kenneth. It was done. Oh man.

So, now I'm left wondering every minute what he's doing. I recognize how silly that is. I haven't done that in a VERY long time. Chad is so independent. I keep thinking to myself, "Just imagine he's in San Diego for a couple of weeks, or Oklahoma again." That would get me through this first couple of weeks right?????

I did come to a realization though. The night before Chad left, I couldn't sleep (of course) and I just kept thinking, "I just want this 2 years to be over." Then I had an overwhelming feeling . . . and I came to an understand of a more importnt thing. I absolutely COULD NOT want this time to pass speedily by me. I COULD NOT wish this time away. A time that I have with Mc Kenna. When Chad gets home, Kenna will be almost 18. If I wish this time away -- I will be wasting the time I have with her.

Chad's Farewell

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Chad had his farewell yesterday. It was a great day! He gave the most amazing talk on Missionary Work. He has a gift, that's for sure. We're sure that he will have an amazing effect on the people of Mexico. The simpleness of his spirituality, and his down-to-earth nature will touch people everywhere. He had the audience laughing throughout the talk ..... and his Dad and grandma Virginia in tears. Aunt Sherle and cousin Cori sang the most beautiful song EVER !! Thank you so much!

The party afterwards was HUGE! We figure we had about 70 people in and out throughout the afternoon. People sure love that boy! And, we do too!

It's hard to believe that he will be "on his way" in just TWO days. Kenneth is going to fly up with him. So is Brian, his friend. Then Ken and Brian will turn around and come right back home. I decided that was a bit much for me and opted for the "Goodbye at the airport". I hope I don't regret that -- but I think it's what Chad wants too.

Last San Diego trip

Well -- we only thought that July would be Chad's last San Diego trip .....

There was a change of plans, and Kenneth got home from Missouri on Friday night, October 2nd. Saturday morning we drove to San Diego for the Charger vs. Cardinal game. Brian, Chad's friend came (Chad forced him to wear the Charger shirt.) and we had a GREAT time! Saturday was a beach day, and it was warm and sunny. Sunday was all about the football! Dad, sporting his Cardinal Red, was a bit disappointed when the Chargers beat up on the Cardinals pretty bad. Was it 42-10??? Something like that????

Chad's Invite

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Temple Trip

We had a wonderful day in the temple Saturday. Wow! It is a really special thing to see your children in the temple with you. I DO NOT take that for granted. I kept looking over at him and Kenneth sitting together and thought, "He looks like he belongs here." I know that he is overwhelmed, but I also know that he felt the spirit and that his testimony will grow as he returns and returns and returns. He's hoping to go back atleast a couple times before he leaves for the MTC.

He got ribbed for the facial hair all day long. (Imagine that???) We went to pick up garments before we went to the temple. She was a sweet lady that met him with, "Are you getting married today?" No -- "Oh, are you going on a mission .....?" Yes --- She proceeded to tell him so many wonderful things, in the most sweet quiet voice. Among them - "Make sure you do everything your mission president asks of you ...." And then in closing, after she had been with him for about an hour, "Don't do anything stupid."

When we went into the temple the sweet woman that met us there said, "Elder???? Mayberry?" Yes -- Then, "That facial hair is not destined for this world for long." She immediately wanted to take the words back -- she apologized and apologized saying, "Oh, I'm not supposed to say things like that." But - Chad took it in stride, laughed with the rest of us. I couldn't care less about the facial hair. I know that he will shave when it is time -- and he will shave every day after that. Yes - the time is quickly approaching.

I'm deeply appreciative for the MANY people that have helped Chad get to this point. Some of them were there with him in the temple. People are drawn to Chad -- they flock to him everywhere he goes. And, so many of them have touched his life in ways that us as parents could never. Thank you so much!

Kenneth leaves today back to Missouri. As the plan is right now -- Chad is going to fly out to pick him up in a month. Then they will spend a few days together and go to Chicago and a few other places. That will be the weekend before his farewell. Kenneth is going to fly to Utah with him, just the day he is supposed to report. (That's a bit much for me I think.....)

Dates confirmed

Well ..... our baby boy is going through the temple. This next Saturday at 1:00. We had to do it over the Labor Day weekend because Kenneth is in Missouri working. He has been there since our vacation and still has over a month yet to work there. This was our chance for him to come home on a long weekend. We are very excited !!

Chad's farewell will be Sunday, October 10th. Sacrament Meeting begins at 10:00. The church is East on New River Road off the I-17 freeway. You go a long way and then the church is on the left. Or if you want to go the Carefree Hwy way -- go North on 7th Street. Continue on (again a long way). Church is on the right. We would love to see you there. (Hey -- maybe he'll shave .....)

Carlsbad 2010

We enjoyed our trip to California. It was a well deserved rest. The first 2 days we had my sister, Diana, and her kids Adam & Bryce, along with Bryce's family. That was wonderful!! We always love to have the little ones on the beach once again. Byrce & Laura had never come with us - so it was truly a treat to have them there. But when they left on Sunday - they took the sun with them. Chad's friend, Brian, came on Sunday -- and he brought clouds and cool weather. He stayed until Wednesday, but there was very little sun. We kept telling ourselves -- "Just enjoy the cool .... pretty soon you will be wining about the 110 degree weather." But - we really did miss the warm beach. It's so much harder to get into the cold water when it's also cool when you get out. We took a couple days off of the beach this year, but decided on Thursday that we were going to go out, clouds or not. We had a great day. Then Friday, our last day, the sun tried to come out a bit and it was a bit warmer.

There was some excitement on the beach this year -- for the first time in all these years of going. I was boarding in the ocean with the kids & Diana, and got caught in a huge wave that literally took my swimsuit bottoms right off. WOW! Thank goodness I was holding a boogie board. I held on to that thing as if my life depended on it. I kept thinking, "Please, don't let there be another wave come and crash me now." .... yuck! Ken saw me and brought me a towel and then a wave brought my suit back. Chad, Adam, and Kenna thought it was a horribly embarassing thing for them .... what ???? what about me???? What can I say??

I'm grateful that we have had the chance to go for the last 16 years. Our kids think of it as "home away from home" and it's all they want to do each summer. We are really fortunate and I am thankful ...


Here is McKenna & Kenneth. What a beautiful picture !!

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Only 3 more months to go .....

Ugh!! One and half months down, 3 more to go. Things have calmed down for Chad. (Thank Goodness !!! Didn't think I could survive much more of that kind of excitement.) It has been the longest month of his life I think. I guess it is normal for his mission to have a 4 1/2 month wait. Everyone going there or there already that I hear from has had the same wait. Some things that I'm hearing about the mission ...

Cancun is actually in his mission and he could be sent there. HAH! His mom and dad are FOR SURE going to schedule a trip to pick him up in 2 years time. A little R&R at a resort ahead of time. : o) It is so hot and humid. And, they sleep in hammocks. FUN! Very primitive from what I understand. Some places don't even have running water. UGH! But, they say there is always a super Wallmart nearby. Isn't that amazing !? Aren't they everywhere??? His mission President is brand new (this month)and is Mexican. They say that most of the elders that are there never have an English companion. So - I guess he's going to be thrown into the language right away. (Hope he learns it....)

We are getting ready to go to California at the end of the week. The Lord has blessed us with one more year together. We thought last year would be our last, but we've gotten a "bonus year" and we are truly grateful. Once we get back I have about a week before I have to start thinking about school again. And, Kenna will start her major volleyball training (she's had workouts all summer, but not like what's ahead...) Things will start to get hectic and I know that the time will pass so quickly. Like everything I'm sure we will be in a time crunch at the end. Before I can blink it will be September -- (August always seems to rush by) and then October.

Chad's Accident .....

Well, Chad was in an accident on Saturday night. It was on our Carefree Hwy and he was going 65. (If I can believe that ???) It was a really bad one, totalled his car. But - he walked away literally without a scratch. He went through the raised median and into oncoming traffic. Carefree Hwy is always very busy -- but there was only one car coming that direction. It just happened to be a sheriff. (Isn't that Chad's luck ....) We are extremely grateful that he wasn't hurt - and that he didn't hurt anyone else. We are recognizing this for what it is -- there will be a lot of opposition the next few months to keep Chad from Mexico. I went to the impound lot today and tried to take a picture of the car (which was literally smashed in half), but it is a police lot and pictures were not allowed. Chad has one on his phone (not very good because it was dark at night), but I will post it when I get it.

MEXICO MERIDA MISSION !!!

Chad received his mission call today to the Mexico Merida Mission. He reports October 13, 2010. We are SO happy !! He will be speaking Spanish -- (Those two years of Spanish in High School will definately NOT be enough ....) Just by our first glance it looks like a beautiful place to be. It is on the Eastern coast of the Gulf of Mexico, down by Guatemala and Honduras. It is near Cuba. It looks very Caribbean like -- not sure if it is. And, yes, there's a beach. OH NO !!! We are truly overwhelmed. A friend of ours (Sam) got his mission call last week and he is giong to Madagascar and leaving in ONE MONTH!! I was not hoping for it to be that close -- but 4 MONTHS !!!! I'm sure the time will go quickly and I will be whining that he is leaving way tooooo soon. It looks like he may get to Mexico just in time for Christmas. Oh my -- can't much think about that. No -- he didn't shave ........... (What can I expect????)

PAPERS ARE IN !!!

Well -- the Stake President pushed the button and today could be the day that the First Presidency is considering Chad. We should hear in the next week or two. WOW! I'm so excited. What a wonderful time for Chad, and us.

VOLLEYBALL

Kenna is playing with the FLUID VOLLEYBALL club this year. I can't believe it, but we only have 3 tournaments left this season. She has done so well. She's starting to get some vertical. Her hitting and serving always score points for her team, and we are SO proud of her!! Enjoy a couple pictures of her Anaheim California trip in March.

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Missionary Picture

Last Thursday I came home and Chad was at the computer. He told me that he was getting ready to "push the button", finishing his part of his mission paperwork. I was surprised. I asked him if he took his picture (I've been trying to get him to shave and get the picture taken for weeks). He said, "Ya, Mom. Here come look." This is what he showed me.

Here is the "real" picture. A bit better.