THE DAY--July 28, 2010

We got up early and after breakfast we headed back to Shanna and Austin's so Darin could do some computer training before entering the MTC.

While we were at Austin's, we got a phone call from my mom and she was in Provo on her way to Salt Lake for a doctor's appointment. Darin and I headed back quickly to our hotel so we could meet up with my mom and Jim.

After Mom and Jim left, we shopped for a few things Darin still needed and then we did the final packing. Austin and Shanna had told me how quick good-byes are at the MTC and suggested that we say our good-byes before we got there. So Darin and I said good-bye in the hotel room and it was pretty much downhill from there....
Provo (well, actually Orem) has an In-N-Out now and Darin wanted to go there for his "last" lunch. It was packed and Darin hardly ate anything as the time was getting close to when he needed to check in. As we started the drive towards the MTC, it was awfully quiet in the car. I could tell he was nervous and I was just trying to keep from a total breakdown in the car. As we turned the corner to the MTC, we saw missionaries playing soccer. Darin perked up immediately and decided that at least the soccer would be great!!
Leaving a son or daughter at the MTC has changed--and it's a quick good-bye!! We drove in and they directed us to a parking spot right at the curb. As we parked, three missionaries converged on our car. One was getting the luggage out of the trunk and the other two were busy greeting Darin and asking him where he was going. Before I knew it, he was heading off with the other missionaries. I said, "Wait!! Don't I get a hug?" Darin quickly turned around and came back and hugged me and then he was off without a backwards glance.
I am so sad that I didn't get any pictures at In-N-Out or at the MTC....
The drive to Salt Lake was hard. (I had to pull off twice because I was having a hard time driving....) I dropped off the rental car and my mom and Jim picked me up and took me to their ranch for a week.

July 27, 2010

Our morning started early since Darin and I had a 6:20 am flight out. Darin and I flew through Detroit and then on to Salt Lake City. We picked up our rental car and when to my brother's office. It was so good to see Mark!! From there we were off to Distribution and a walk through temple square.

After a delicious dinner with Mark, we headed down to Provo with a quick stop at the Draper Temple. My mom and Jim were the missionaries in charge of the building of the Draper temple so we were excited to see it up close and personal.From Draper we headed to Provo and our hotel. We quickly dropped in on Austin and Shanna and enjoyed a good visit with them and then we were off to bed. It had been a l-0-n-g day!

July 26, 2010

Darin's last day in Raleigh for two years was spent running errands and packing. That night we went to Devin and Sarah's for dinner all together and Sarah had an impromptu photo shoot with Darin. Here are a few of my favorites....

July 25, 2010

Sunday, July 25, was a busy day for us. It started in the Durham 4 ward with Devin and Sarah. They were blessing baby Sallie.

I made Sallie's blessing dress and it turned out almost perfectly... :-)

Sunday afternoon we headed to Devin and Sarah's for to celebrate Delainey's 2nd birthday. I can't believe it's been 2 years!! In some ways it seems like she's always been here and in other ways it seems SO short....
After the birthday celebration, we were off to President Harding's home so Darin could be set apart as a missionary. That was kind of the beginning of the end for me...it was becoming so real...he really was going to leave to serve a mission for two years in El Salvador....in just two and a half days!!!

family pictures

Yeah for family pictures!! We picked a rainy day in a beautiful park and many thanks go to our wonderful friend and photographer, Liz. This was taken about 10 days before Darin left and it'll be our last family picture for 2 years. It's strange to think that Delainey will be 4 and Sallie will be 2 when Darin comes home and we get to have the entire family together again...Some one would rather dance than take pictures....


I LOVE this baby!!
(and check out the rained-on hair!!)

July 24, 2010

On Saturday, July 24, 2010, Jamie went to the temple in Raleigh for the first time. Just like Darin, this is a special occasion in our religion and this time was especially sweet because everyone in the family was in the same place at the same time. With Darin leaving a few days later, we knew this was a time to treasure... We are a forever family!!

Chick-Fil-A

On Friday, Chick-Fil-A had a promotional deal. If you dressed up like a cow, you got a combo meal of your choice for free! They even had spots, ears, a nose and a tail that you could print off, cut out and apply. We decided to go for it. Darin wasn't too excited--but finally gave in. He did say, "No pictures, please...." but I had to sneak one in to show that he did dress up.....

Jenna, Erik and Donald were more willing to pose for a picture....

Donald and Erik don't have their "ears" on in this picture and Donald still needs to add his nose, but you get the idea. Thanks for a free meal, Chick-Fil-A!!