300 Days

300 Days Ago!

Nic has been gone for 300 days! He is very happy, healthy and working hard as ever. He is now a Senior Companion and has been so blessed with amazing companions. He loves the work and the people and spends a lot of time thinking and preparing lessons and activities to help strengthen his branch. His is being the Missionary that we all knew he would be. We miss him so much and especially at this time of year we are feeling a huge part of us missing. I sometimes think that I am getting used to my day without my son in it. Then the other day Riley, who Nic entrusted with all his Vans, was downstairs watching a movie and I walked past the front door and saw Nic’s red Vans sitting by the door. Sounds weird but I spent a few teary minutes with that pair of shoes. I miss that pile of Vans at my front door. I keep moving forward trying to follow my own advice to others, not to wish the mission away, but still counting everyday that goes by. So proud of my son and grateful to be his mom. 430 days!

James Riley!

When Nicolas was in high school he became friends with this young man. He began to spend alot of time at our house and he worked his way into the hearts of each family member. When they were Seniors in high school we took Riley with us on Nicolas’ Senior trip to Disney World. We had a blast!!!!! To our family Riley is our son, brother & uncle. This past week Riley received his mission call to Carlsbad, California to report on January 2, 2013. This will make it almost 3 years for Nicolas and Riley to see each other again. We love this young man and will miss him in our home, but we are excited for him to get out there and serve. He has a tender heart and a giving warm personality. We know he will be a great Missionary!!!
We love you J Ri!


Me and my cute boys!

The Mission Call!!!!!

200 Days!

Nic has been gone for two hundred days and it has been a long two hundred! He is doing great and still loves what he is doing. He keeps telling me that he is happy and healthy and to stop worrying about him.

Ya right.....

He is missed by all of us everyday and his sisters are always quoting, laughing or remembering something 

about him or a memory they are hanging on to.Time moves forward and we all go about our days

but we miss his smile and fun personality.So grateful for him and for his determination to be the

best missionary he can be.  I miss him soooooo much! 530 more days!

Six Months

February 1st, 2012 (Day 1)

Missionary at about five months

I suppose it is a pretty big jump from my last post of 100 days to 6 months. Still, 6 months is certainly blog worthy for a mom. The summer is speeding by and here we are 1/4th of the way through the mission. I am happy to report that Nic is happy and having a great experience as a Missionary. He is learning and stretching himself both physically and spiritually. I am so proud of him! He is in his second area and on his third comp. So far he has had great companions. We hear from him every week and of course I look forward to Mondays. Then I get the email and reality sets in and I feel somewhat empty inside like I am missing a part of me. I guess I really am. I miss him so much everyday!  Here's to the next six months.  I love my boy!

100 Days

Yep, that's my boy!

Elder Hall has been gone for 100 days.  I would like to say it has flown by but it really hasn't, for me anyway.  When I think about how long the one hundred days that have passed compared to the 630 ahead of me it seems almost like he has hardly been gone at all.  Things are seeming a little easier these day though. I suppose that is mostly because of the joy that he is finding in his service.  It is hard to feel to sad when he is so upbeat and happy.  He continues to do amazing and is charming the Argentines with that smile and sweet spirit.  He is loving the mission,  so what more can I ask for.  Still missing that boy more than I can express and every minute of my day has him on my mind, but grateful, so very grateful to be his mommy:)

10 Weeks

Nic has been gone about 10 weeks now. He is in Argentina and is loving every minute of it so far.  He hit the ground running and was so excited to be a Missionary.  We are all adjusting to life without him here at home. Tough as it is at times we are all so happy for him!  I am still missing him every minute of the day.  There is always something to remind me of his absence.  The time is going by faster now, thank goodness.  I  have to keep reminding myself not to wish the time away.  I was thinking about Nic the morning that he left when he and I had some time here at home alone.  He made me promise not to be sad even though he knew I would be.  Every time I think about that morning, I keep remembering him say, Mom,  it is my turn, I am so ready to go and  I have things to do.  I think Nic was born to be a missionary and has just been waiting and watching others come and go, just waiting for his turn to serve.  He will be amazing!

Six Weeks

Nic has been in the MTC for six weeks. He is loving it but is so so anxious to get to Argentina. The time is still pretty much dragging but I am getting myself used to the fact that this is the way things are. We have all been blessed so much and continue to see the Lords hand in our family. I am always amazed how much he is aware of us and the things we need. The past few weeks have been a struggle for me. Hoping to see the light at the end of the tunnel soon. I am so proud of my little missionary. There is not a minute in my day that doesn’t have him in it. I miss him when I get home from work, texting me, making a mess downstairs, giving me a hug, sitting with him at church, five pairs of Vans by the front door to name a few, but I am grateful that he is where he is, living his dream of serving a mission.

The past few days

Right before we headed out the door to the MTC. We laughed alot!
I miss that boy!

Today is one week since I said good bye to my son for two years. I have had alot of time to think about what it all means.  This afternoon I got a message on Facebook from another Bahia Blanca mom who sent her son the same day. She said that she just kept opening her son's bedroom door just to look in, even though she knows he isn't there, she just has to look.  I had to smile when I read it cause that is me!  Made me realize that I am one among many crazy moms that have spent a long week and who is missing their child.  Its funny the things that you do.  This has been a tough week. Lots of emotions for the whole family.  We are proud of Nic. He will do great things. He has been blessed with a personality that will make him a great Missionary.  We are ready to go along for the ride.  103 more weeks to go!

The Babies turn five!

The Babies - This is my most favorite picture!



The babies are 5 years old.


Liam and Ammie whom I will always refer to as the babies.  They were born two weeks apart and now here they are five years old. They went through lots of stages together, even one where they did not get along. Now they are great buds! Hope they always will be. This Fall they will go to Kindergarten at the same school.  How fast that time went!!!  Love my babies a ton!