Alabama Trip

John and I took a quick trip to Alabama / Georgia to visit with Josten and Jehkiah and it was magical. Of course, John fell in love with it all (must be the trees that completely surrounded us.) We weren't in a position to plan a trip like this. It was an unexpected surprise, paid for by members of Jehkiah's ward who insisted that we come so that John could ordain Jehkiah a High Priest. 

Jehkiah and Josten picked us up at the airport in Atlanta on Saturday (the 1st). We arrived there at about 8:45 p.m. Actually, our flight got in about 30 minutes early so we had to wait for the boys a while. What a huge airport ~ I was so grateful there was a wheelchair available and someone to push John to baggage claim. It's about an hour and a half drive to where they live from Atlanta, but we took our time to drive around the city a bit and later, on the way home, stopped off for a bite to eat at this waffle house.  It was fun. The waitress was pure southern hospitality! "What can I get for you darlin'?" I loved it...

We stopped at Jehkiah's place first to drop him off and take a peek at Jace who was fast asleep. Jehkiah and Casey have a cute apartment tucked off in the woods. Then on to Josten's where we stayed the whole time. He, too, lives off in a little area on the outskirts of town in a wooded neighborhood. The house was spacious and has a bonus room above the garage that doubles as a playroom ~ homeschool ~ Grandparents guest room :), and that's where we slept.  It was so warm that each night we had to open the window next to our bed and let some cool air in. We fell asleep to the sounds of crickets chirping and frogs croaking outside. On Monday, it got up to 70 degrees and we were in short sleeves. 

Sunday morning we went to church. The ward was so amazingly friendly and warm. It seemed like everyone knew us already by name and made us feel so welcome. It was fast Sunday and Jehkiah conducted ~ his first time. He's a natural! That ward members adore Jehkiah and Josten, and their families, especially the stake leadership.  Both of them bore their testimonies and had us in tears. It was a beautiful day. 

Jehkiah's boss, President Eiland was there and he bolted from the stand in the chapel to meet us and then sat with John through Sunday School and Priesthood.  Apparently, they are just alike and think the same way. This is the man Jehkiah has spent every day with swapping stories and so it was like they had always known each other.  Everyone kept asking when we were moving out there. After the block we went in to the Bishop's office and Dad got to ordain Jehkiah a High Priest. That was a spiritual experience for us all. Then we all went home to Josten's and had a huge feast.

Monday Jehkiah, Josten and John hung out together and drove around looking at houses and stuff, then Josten took all of us to Ft. Benning and gave us the grand tour. He took us all through Columbus (which is on the Georgia side of the Chattahoochee River) and Phenix City (which is on the Alabama side of the river.  It's like Tri-Cities.  Those two cities (and Ft. Benning) are all right together, divided only by the river.  Ft. Benning itself is several thousand people. 

Later in the after noon we went to the base PX (military retail stores). It is actually a mall! John got one of those electric scooters and drove all over the place with Breck and Sienna riding on it with him. That night we all had dinner together, again and visited until late.   

On Tuesday morning Josten had to go to work early so John, Jehkiah and I (and Jace) drove around town to see the sights. Then we went over to Columbus sate University where Casey is head volleyball coach and women's athletic director. 

Both Columbus and Phenix City have historic as well as modern architecture, and we walked down to their river front park (like Spokane's) and enjoyed the features there. That's when Jayden called, so we spoke to him for some time.  He sounded so mature and spiritual. He admitted having had some refining while at the MTC that helped strengthen his commitment and enthusiasm. (Overcoming struggles of self-doubt).  It was emotionally hard, obviously, to say goodbye. He told me he loves me in Armenian which made me cry. Then he bore his testimony in Armenian to John. Then John asked him if he would recite the First Vision in Armenian beginning with "I saw a pillar of light..."  That's when they both lost it.  He was in Salt Lake at the time he called (at the airport waiting for his flight to New Jersey). There was concern his flight would be cancelled because of an Arctic storm that had already delayed flights. But, he was determined he would make it and call us later from there.

When Josten got off work we all met over at Ft. Benning to the Army's National Infantry museum. It was stunning and awe inspiring. A sober and reverent place where the government has spared no expense to honor the infantry soldiers of every war since the Revolution. 

After that they treated us to dinner (for Dad's birthday) at a Hibachi Japanese Buffet and it was fantastic food!!! What fun!  We all sat around this long table in a banquet room and feasted! Then Breck and Sienna brought Grandpa out a bag with a gift inside: a shirt and hat he had eye balled at the infantry museum!

We got done late and visited for a while but had to finally get to bed so that we could leave early back to Atlanta before rush hour traffic. We said our good-byes, which is always so hard, and then Jehkiah drove Dad and I back to Atlanta airport. It was so sad to have to part. We spent some time together at the airport before going through the security check. Then, said our goodbyes and flew home.

Good times, good memories!

 Papa looking for alligators with Breck & Sienna

 Sarah & Josten Jr.

 Jace

Jayden's Armenia bound

Instead of sending Jayden off to Utah and the MTC from Pasco, we drove him down so we could spend some quality time together. Quality it was! We left Saturday late afternoon and made it to Boise where we checked into our new favorite "cheap night's sleep"...at the Sleep Inn. It was awesome. Bed's (and pillows) were great and the shower was warm. Even had a nice breakfast the following morning of scrambled eggs and biscuits with gravy. Can't beat that.

Sunday, after breakfast we drove on down and stopped in Brigham City to take some pictures and see some sights before driving on up to the ski resort in Eden. The new temple is absolutely breathtaking. The town was all decked out for the holidays! It was fun to drive around and see all the different decorations.

Brigham Temple

We stopped in Ogden for dinner and then checked into our condo where we snuggled in for the night. It's an amazing resort with all the comforts of home. The view was awesome. Fortunately, the roads were clear and dry and it didn't snow much while we were there.

Dad and Jayden

 View of Powder Mountain

 Our bedroom upstairs was huge!

Jayden settling in

Monday, we drove on down to Salt Lake and walked around temple square. There was an almost surreal feeling around about us; knowing that in just a few short days, we would have to say goodbye and be separated for two years. It was bittersweet.

Jayden and Dad at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building

 Father & son, forever and ever

Mother and son

Temple square was festive and the lights were beautiful. We loved walking around taking it all in. We were trying to capture moments in everything we did. Jayden wanted to eat lunch at the Lion House so we did that. It was fantastic! We went to Deseret Book and bought him Armenia scriptures and had them engraved. We didn't want the day to end. 

Salt Lake Temple

For dinner, we met up with Dad's old missionary companions, Rob Thompson and Steve Solberg and their wives at the Red Iquana. What a place!! The food was so amazing they had people lined up behind the block. Fortunately, they were there early and had a table waiting for us. Good times. (I ate a salad smothered in prawns...omg).

On our way back to the lodge, we met up with John's niece Stephanie and nephew, Kevin with his wife Melanie (and kids) at a convenience store. It was so much fun reconnecting with Steve's kids. Jennifer wasn't able to come but her husband, Dave brought the kids to meet us. So fun!! They are so awesome. We committed to not let so many years go by before we visited again. 

 Jayden, John, Kevin and Stephanie

Tuesday, we got a late start because it snowed overnight and it was an icy commute into Salt Lake but well worth the effort. We did a session at the Salt Lake Temple. Neither Jayden nor I had ever been so it was powerful to say the least. Afterward, we walked around temple square again, taking in the visitor's centers and talking to several of the Sister Missionaries: getting Jayden all excited about his adventure! We ended our evening visiting with our good friend, Lucy! (which I didn't get pictures of, darn it!)

 Truly a missionary!

I cannot express in words the ache and void that filled our hearts as we stood across the street of the MTC (missionary training center) while we said our goodbyes. Jayden was strong, and kept his parents from falling totally apart :) So like him... We love him so much and are so proud of the choice he's made to go and serve the Lord in the great country of Armenia. We pulled it together long enough to send him off, then John drove around the building and parked the car where we sobbed our hearts out. We cried all the way home and for three days after, literally mourning over the separation. As time moves on, we're learning to celebrate the beautiful man he's become. Carry on Elder Cornett!!

Thanksgiving at the Thorn's

It was a final holiday for Jayden before his mission and we spent it with Karen, Travis and the kids. The Olsen's joined us, which was so great. Of course, the food was spectacular and filling. Our hearts were a little heavy as the impending trip loomed ahead. Time with Jayden was coming to a close and we felt the emotions. Good memories...

 Cindy hanging out with the kids

 Kevin and John into some deep conversation, as usual

 The Olsen's with Jayden

Cannon Beach

It was our final trip to the Oregon Coast with Jayden before he goes on his mission. Another "last". A big thanks to Karen who was able to score our accommodations from her boss! It was an awesome room! We stayed at the Inn at Cannon Beach and our room was connected by a porch to Karen and Travis'. They were beautiful and nearly new; had two awesome queens, a fireplace and an enormous bathroom. Colby bunked with us so he didn't have to sleep on the floor:) We had a complimentary breakfast each morning and could even rent videos.

John, Jayden, Shyane and I left Thursday afternoon and stayed in Longview so we didn't have to do our heavy traveling on Friday, which left more play time. We took our time and toured a little of Longview, and then drove over to Long Beach so we could check out the town, shops and museum. Karen and Travis met us there when they got into town. Of course, we had to sample some scrumptious homemade clam chowder.

On the way over to Astoria, we went through Ilwaco ~ a little city of about 950 that sits on the Long Beach Peninsula. There are fishing charters and a processing business right on the bay. Hence, the photos of John's dream job. Afterward, we went to Astoria where we had to get our pictures taken at the "Goonies" house!

The weekend consisted of shopping, playing at the beach, eating lots of fun food and spending time together. It was a good time to capture these memories in our hearts. Saturday afternoon we drove on down to Oswald State Park where John proposed to me back in 1994 and played on the beach there. At night, we dropped the kids off at the Fun Center in Seaside and the adults had a wonderful dinner at McKeown's Restaurant down the street. The food was fabulous and it was a time to relax, reflect and be grateful.

There seemed to be a lot of emotions during this weekend. I know for me personally, I was trying to hold Jayden close, to remember everything we were doing so that I can draw on these memories when he's gone.