We dropped Calianne off at the MTC this week and it was the absolute worst but also the absolute best and I can't decide if it was the happiest day or the saddest day of the week when, of course, it was both!

We did try to soak up as much time as we could before she left on Wednesday. We did some last-minute shopping and got to play some last games. Tuesday, she had most of the day off, so Megan, Sarah, Avery, Lyla, and I went for a last hike to enjoy the very beginnings of fall color. It was a beautiful hike and Cali got lots of last moments with Miss Avery as she held her hand and carried her rocks for her.

On Wednesday, we got the family together for her last meal (now I'm really sounding like she's dying aren't I?). It was fun and supporting and memory-creating to be together for lunch! We got Beth and Ben out of school. Grandma and Grandpa came over. Megan and Ammon were there. Sarah came with her babies. I made homemade pizza and fruit smoothies (because that's the only way Cali will eat fruit) and it was yummy! Afterward we took pictures and piled into the van to drive to the MTC.

By request, we let Cheyenne know when we were leaving the house. As we pulled onto MTC grounds, we saw Chey sprinting across the grass to meet us in the parking garage. It makes me cry to think of it again. She became Calianne's missionary greeter. We all squealed and hugged and cried. We took as many quick pictures as we could. We got out Cali's suitcases. 

Then the two of them walked away together waving as they went. Crying, probably, too.

And I will not see either of them for a year and a half! 

Which is not entirely true. I will see them on video calls once a week. And that will help. And I know it is a great place for them to be and such an amazing, growing experience that will help them in all aspects of their life. Not to mention that it will turn their focus outward in beautiful ways. 

Still. It was hard. I was sad. It would make sense for me to wish to not be a part of a church that asks for a sacrifice like this or encourages my kids to leave me like this. But that is not something I would ever wish for. Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gives me so much back, makes my life bigger and more meaningful in so many ways and I am grateful. Grateful for the chance to watch my little ones grow and believe in a world deserving of Love. My heart fills to bursting when I think of it.

So, it was a happy day, too. As someone in our church services said today, "I am grateful for gratitude."

On Friday, Ben had another cross country meet and guess who came up to see it? Mariah! Ben did great! He knocked 40 seconds off his time and again had so much fun.

On Saturday, Beth needed a couple more tests done at Primary Children's Hospital before her surgery on Monday. So, we decided to make it fun! Kevin, Megan, Mariah, Ben, and I all came. Then once the tests were done, we drove to Donut Falls and hiked the 1.5mile roundtrip. So beautiful and so fun to be together!

Calianne got set apart to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Sunday. Mariah was home so she could be there. It was spiritual and heart-wrenching and joy-producing and I'm just so in awe of the person that she is.

Mariah had to say goodbye to her that night.

And so, Calianne started home MTC this week! She's been having zoom meetings and companionship meetings and language study meetings and MTC devotionals. We see her when she pops upstairs for something to eat or has a break between classes. It's fun to see her get started and see her excitement for all the things. She still has been able to play with Avery and go to Ben's xcountry meet, go on some walks and even play a little tennis. We are soaking up what little moments we still have but are super excited for her!

Bethany only had one doctor appointment this week and it was not during school! What a nice break! She was able to get caught up in all her classes except band. Ugh. I do not know what we will do about that class and it's not even the fault of doctor appointments. She is just not in the habit of practicing outside of school. Anyway! She LOVES being in Newsies and apart from getting tired easily has been feeling pretty good. She even was able to belt test in karate on Saturday and she and Ben are now red belts! Which is one belt away from black. It's a pretty big accomplishment!

Benjamin after resting last week because of leg pain, was able to run again for cross country practices. He loves cross country practices and had his first meet on Friday! They ran a mile and a half and Ben's time was around 9:50. There were 92 boys in the race and Ben placed 7th overall and 5th for his team! Isn't that fun? He's started dreaming of getting a running scholarship like Mariah. He also earned his red belt on Saturday and I don't have a picture of him because he was headed straight to his tennis lesson afterward. He's been busy but he loves it.

Savannah had a full work week at Funfinity and also continued working on her bees. She got stung this week and it is still hurting! 

Kevin got the first copy of his new book this week! He's been working on it all year. Megan has helped with diagrams and the cover. It's quite the accomplishment. What a guy! Rebuild Your Relationship After Sexual Betrayal He's also been able to start being bishop of the YSA ward. He and I went to the capture the flag activity on Monday and met lots of really great kids. He's been able to have appointments and do visits as well.

I've been working on my class. I love the things I'm learning about. Grand Canyon University is a Christian university and this week we learned about the importance of spirituality in social work. It was super cool. I also got to watch Avery a couple of times, which I love, too! I also found time to read Tress of the Emerald Sea. I really enjoyed it. :)

We drove Cheyenne (Sister Skinner) to the MTC on Wednesday. Oh, happy day! Oh, sad, sad day! Our hearts couldn't decide whether to rejoice or mourn! So, we did both. Chey spent a good part of Tuesday packing. Wednesday morning she had a couple more things to do and we drove to WalMart for a couple of last-minute things. Then, we had everyone over for lunch. We even grabbed Beth and Ben from school. Chey wanted salmon and "fresh, crunchy grapes." Megan and Ammon came and Sarah with her babies. We talked about what she might have at the MTC for dinner. We took more pictues! Then we packed into the van (except for Sarah and the babies) and headed for Provo. We were met in the parking lot by a happy sister missionary who helped Chey with her bags and took one more picture. Then there were hugs and tears and waving and waving. The end. We went sadly home. Except she did call us that night and we saw her face again and we will on her p-day, too, and weekly throughout her mission. What adventures and spiritual highs await! This will be a terrific 18 months of her life. Hurrah for Israel! Hurrah for Cheyenne and her love for Christ and the people of the Earth.

Bethany and I got to spend some more hours at Primary Children's Hospital this week. We saw an endocrinologist on Monday, got some more bloodwork done, and even got an xray of her hand for growth-plate reasons. The xray room was decorated like an underwater laboratory and the lab for bloodwork is decorated like a jungle. I think they should decorate hospitals for adults the same way. It makes everything cheerier. Beth will be spending 3 to 5 days inpatient starting on the 25th. Her surgery is scheduled for that day and then they will watch her for infection or complications. Everything should go well.

Meanwhile, Beth is trying to keep up with her classes which is extra hard since we keep taking her out for doctor's appointments and MTC drop-offs. I think we are close to getting her caught up, but her teachers want her to get ahead, and so she is pretty stressed sometimes and wants to curl into a ball and make it all go away. Which she does try sometimes. She loves being in Newsies and I'm glad that is so fun for her and that her director will let her miss rehearsals. It will all work out!

Ben hasn't been able to run for the last week because of pain in his ankles, knees, and legs. Ammon, our resident doctor, believes the problem has arisen because his bones have grown faster than his muscles so they are overstretched and mad. Ben is trying to remember to stretch thtoughout the day so that next week he can run at practices instead of just cheering everyone else on.

Savannah has been working on her bees this week. Bees don't take much work daily, but every once in a while they take a lot of work and Savannah gets worn out! She did great, though, and has a big bucket of honey in return for her labor.

Calianne gets set-apart today!! So, Mariah is back in town (yay, a visit from Mariah!) and on Saturday night we had a family picnic up Hobble Creek Canyon. The weather has been beautiful so we were upset when it started to rain on us! Still, it didn't rain until after our food and it wasn't raining hard, so everyone still played bocce ball and spike ball and I sat under the trees holding baby Lyla. We're glad we went. It is always fun to be together even when we miss Chey and are dreading the departure of Cali (the next Sister Skinner). It's good to feel all the family support. I love our big family.

This morning Kevin got set-apart as a bishop in the Provo YSA 189th ward. We went to church with them this morning and they look like an amazing group of young adults! I can't wait to get to know them. Kevin is looking forward to this new way to serve in the Lord's kingdom and I think he will do great.