The Time Came- Off to the Airport

It's hard to know what to do to spend your last night as a full
family together.

Lane didn't have any suggestions.
I don't know what made me think about this, but luckily the Diamond Backs 
had a home game that evening.

It was meant to be.

More luck would have it as he got to have one last extra goodbye to cousins 
and uncle Jake at the game!

I think my parents had something to give him, so we swung by on our way home.
Extra loves to Daisy.

I don't think many parents get much sleep on the eve of their child leaving.

Trying to fit 2 years worth of stuff in 3 suitcases is so, so tricky!

I love that he wanted to take grandmother and grandads
life history with him on the plane to read!

We had family prayer one last time before we left.

Casey asked if I would say it, and I'm pretty sure I called him a dummy!

How on earth did he think I would even be able to get through saying that

without blubbering?!

I usually am all about car rides to the airport, but this one I was 

certainly dreading!

We were the last ones to show up at the gate!
Instantly pictures were happening and hugs

were non stop.

I was holding it together the best I could, but you could

see how I was falling apart!

And then I just lost it on his shoulder!

Poor Lane, he was doing great.

He was nice to console his emotional mess of a mother!

Oh how much easier it was to send him off with Sawyer!
It was a little extra gift from Heavenly Father.

Jefferson ran up just before he gathered his things to walk through security!

I love that this one last moment happened naturally.

I don't even remember what was being said, but it was comforting and made

these next moments more bearable.

Then it was goodbye!

It is the strangest feeling having to let go of a child in seconds, after

18 years of keeping them alive!

Watching behind airport jail until we couldn't spot him anymore.

In true Lindblom fashion, we rushed up to
 the top of the parking lot to watch his plane take off!

It was blazing hot, and we were sweating buckets.

But it was good to watch his plane back out, taxi down the runway, and eventually

take off to Mexico!

I think there were about 30 missionaries on that flight. 

No doubt that plane had heavenly protection!

Precious cargo!

With red and puffy faces we ate awkwardly as a now family
 of 5 before dropping the kids off to school.

Casey had to do some work things, so I was left alone in my feelings.

Going into his room was a bad idea!

Empty drawers mixed with things he didn't need, but will want when he comes

back home. 

Then I sat on the couch and vigilantly watched his air tags

land in Mexico City and move along the highway to the MTC!

Of course while crying!

 

First Day For Everyone!

Just like that, Summer ended and we were ALL on a new adventure!

Lane started the home MTC.

Spoiler alert, he hated it.

After witnessing it, I can't say I am a huge fan myself.

And it wasn't even because it was strict or rigid.
Rules have majorly relaxed since it originally started. 

I can see a few benefits from it.
The buffer from their farewell to actually leaving is nice.
But it is way too long, and should be shortened from 10 days to 

5 days.

They just want to BE there!
Not stare at their district through a computer screen.

I think that is the only good, that comes from it.

 They are more than ready to get the show on the
 road by their departure date!

 

I did nothing fancy like the moms who transform a room into
a makeshift MTC.

It is not my style, nor do we have a space for that in our tiny house. 

He literally woke up on his own and found Casey's laptop

and logged in like a good boy.

The kitchen table lasted a day as it was too noisy.

The next day I found him in what is basically our overflow room sitting

at the kiddie table!

What a trooper.

He never complained, just trekked along the best he could.

My life sure didn't stop for home MTC.

It was almost insult to injury having to throw the teacher's back to school

luncheon 2 days after Lanes farewell luncheon and open house.

No rest for the weary!

I resourced as much as I could,
but it still adds up to it being so much work!

Mrs Baxter has a theme for the teachers each year that she introduces to them
and this meeting.

Superhero's was a fun one!

Our only child left who had meet the teacher, sniff sniff!

Miss Finitzer is a brand spanking new teacher, first year ever teaching!
Which meant we didn't know much about her, but she seemed
super nice.

3rd grade is going to be a great year!

Casey put himself in charge of the back to school dinner!

These smoked McDonalds McGriddles!

First day jitters and figuring out the new schedule for 3 different schools!

It's always stressful, but works out in the long run.

First one out the door was Lindi 

hitting 7th grade as a new Jr. High student!

We had a carpool for 2 days before that fizzled out.

Which ended up being better and WAY easier to drop and pick her up 

at the bus stop right across the street than

sit in the dreaded school pick up line.

Blessing in disguise!

Next these 2 get in the car together.

We take Della to the bus, then drop Rusty off at Mesa High.

He had 3 months until he got his license and would drive himself!

3rd and 11th grade!

Lane did fit in some Pday fun with friends!

 

Lanes Missionary Farewell

 

Kind of surreal to attend your own sons missionary farewell!

He gave a great talk and is ready to start!

He had so many people there to support him and he sure felt the love!

Directly after church he was set apart to be a full time missionary!

Officially a missionary!

We had a big luncheon for both sides of our family.

Mexican themed, of course!

Thankfully my parents have air conditioning in their garage.

We were getting worried where to host everyone at the end of July!

It was packed, and loud, and so amazing.

After the lunch we rushed back to our house where we
 had an open house for his friends and ward people.

These are the only pictures I have of it before it started.

It was a long day.

But it was his last "normal" day so I think we
all soaking it in! 

Home MTC bright and early in the morning!