Bye, AMS!

In March I had to bid farewell to another wonderful missionary. My dear friend AnneMarie Sloan left for her mission to DAE JONG, SOUTH KOREA!! I wish I would have gotten a picture of her reaction and mine when she read where she would be serving. (While she opened it in Rexburg, I was able to watch her read her call, along with other family and friends, over Google chat! What a wonderful deal this whole technology thing is turning out to be!)

I was so surprised, excited, moved, touched, that I started tearing up! At work, mind you. I'm just sitting at my computer, trying not to talk too loud, when I just start crying! AnneMarie, my fiery red-headed, clear-skinned, always sarcastic, talks-with-a-lisp-for-fun friend (I was always "Lyndthey"), is going to live on a whole new continent, speak Korean, and eat fermented cabbage for 18 months.

The Sloan family moved to Moorpark when I was a sophomore in high school. They came to our crazy ward and we've been friends ever since! I was so excited to have new kids at church-twins Derek and Alise, AnneMarie, and Danielle. Their parents James and Christine are wonderful! I have learned so many great things and developed wonderful memories with them!

At Youth Conference 2009. AMS was pretty excited about chopping carrots 

Not sure why she wasn't looking, but not surprised. YC 2009

In summer of 2009, the Sloans invited me and Weston Giles to go with them to Yosemite National Park for a week! While we were there we stayed in a cool cabin, found waterfalls and natural pools, bugged the gift shop people, played games, saw some redwoods, and hiked Half Dome. Now, this thing was a beast. It was physically the most difficult thing I have endured. The hike was just over 18 miles long and it took us about 12 hours to complete (some slow walkers + lunch + rest breaks increased our time), but it was so worth it. Plus, you couldn't beat the company.

Exploring the rocks

All the kids together

Freezing before the hike!

We climbed that! 

Alise, AnneMarie, and me

Our favorite sign

Well, flash forward 4 years. We're now freezing our butts off in the field next to the Missionary Training Center. The Sloans flight was late and getting the rental car was a time-waster, so we couldn't all stop for lunch together. In a great example of problem-solving, they brought lunch to the MTC! 

Yum pizza!

Bright sun. I miss this girl! 

Christine and AMS are just too cooky for James sometimes

AnneMarie and brother Derek

It sure was sad to see my friend leave for so long, but I know that she will do great things while she's gone. Her letters are a perfect illustration of the spunky and honest girl I love! I can't wait for her to experience tons of awesome things while in South Korea and have her make me delicious food! 

Thithter Thloan ith one of my betht friendth and I'll mith her tho much! Can't wait to thee you.

Our New Nephew!

After waiting for what seemed like a year, "Leondre" was finally born! Chantelle and Jason had their adorable baby boy in the middle of January, only about two weeks after we left Boise. We were hoping for our sakes that she would have him while we were still in town, but it was not to be. Obviously, we could not wait very long to meet our little nephew, so we dashed up to Idaho at the first chance we got. We were able to spend President's Day weekend (and my birthday!) in Boise with the cute new addition.

He's not very happy

He loved sticking his tongue out and waving his fists!

Easton David Payne, born January 16th! We were so excited to see him. I think Nate was a little uncomfortable because he hasn't been around really tiny babies too much, but he warmed up pretty quickly! I'm glad he took well to Easton because he's going to have to feel really comfortable with newborns once we start having our own! (No, that time is not coming soon.)

Uncle Nate

Just chatting with Easton

Practicing

My turn! 

To be honest, I don't remember what else we did! Mostly the trip was to see Easton and visit Nate's family. At this point we were pretty sure we'd be moving somewhere for law school, so we thought we should take advantage of being close to the Millers and Paynes while we could! But, Nate's mom did make me a delicious ice cream cake! Super chocolately and super scrumptious. Ice cream cakes are my favorite!

There was a particularly warm day so we went out to eat and then played at the park! Nate was getting a little too excited for the spring and thought about jumping in the river while we were on our walk.

Jump!

As always, the Wii was brought and some friendly competition ensued. Nate was using his Chris Paul moves to score in a basketball game. Silly boys!

They love the Wii

My Favorite Missionary

My brother Ryan is awesome. 

This is awesome Ryan.

I love my other siblings too, but I really loved being able to spend extra time with him while he was at BYU for his first two semesters. We were really close while I was in high school, then I moved away for college and wasn't home much after that. It's kinda hard keeping in touch with brothers that don't like to talk on the phone. Or have very good "textersations." I guess that's what happens when you grow up and move away. Anyways, I was excited to be able to hang out while he was in Provo for a few months before he left on his mission. It was hard because I wanted to be the cool older sister that he wanted to hang out with, but I also knew that he had way more fun with his friends. I think that was a little glimpse of what parenting a teen will be like...

During summer and fall semesters he came to dinner at our house, watched a few BYU women's soccer games with me, and had a few other adventures together. But once finals ended in December, he was back to California to wait out the time before his mission call to Mendoza, Argentina. Originally he was supposed to report to the Missionary Training Center (in Provo) in January, but his date was pushed back several weeks to the middle of February. I am so glad we were still at school because we were able to spend a few days with him and my parents before he changed his identity to "Elder Bair" for two years. 

Mom, Dad, and Ryan trekked the twelve hours in the car to bring him to town the day before he was to report. Grandma and Grandpa Isom drove up from St. George to see him off too! It was fun to see them and I'm sure Ryan appreciated it. Dad treated us all to Tucano's, a Brazilian churrasco, for Ryan's "Last Supper." Churassco is a style of eating where all types of meats are grilled on spits and servers come around slicing off pieces for you all night. And, there is a buffet full of rice, beans, salads, rolls, cheeses, soups, etc. open all night. All night=until you are about to throw up. Ryan was so excited, it was like watching a child trying to figure out if all the presents under the Christmas tree were his; and which one to open first. He was just so funny! He was so excited to try this food it took him about fifteen minutes to understand that he didn't have to pick one entree, he could eat until his heart's content! We all ate until we were stuffed, then Mom, Dad and Ryan came over to let their food digest a bit, and then eat some more cake. 

He hates pictures. Or just loves ruining them.

Dad was pretty excited about the food too!

Mid-bite and half-glare. A glimpse into his personality

The morning he was to report to the MTC, we all went to breakfast at Mimi's Cafe. (We always eat waaay too much when my parents are in town!) We enjoyed a delicious and heavy breakfast, chatting and reminiscing and offering advice to kill the time. Nate had to be at work that morning, so he missed out on the best part! But, he was able to take Ryan to the MTC with us, which was the important part!

Ryan with Grandma and Grandpa Isom 

Half of our wonderful family!

He ran a few last-minute errands, said goodbye to a few friends, and then we were off. Up to this point, I was surprised how calm I was being! But once we got into the car I was very anxious, I think we all were. The atmosphere around the five of us changed the second we got in the car. I guess you could say that it felt like we were taking kids to get shots at the doctor, but trying to make sure they didn't know until they were sitting on the table--don't talk about what's going to happen and maybe he won't figure it out! 

The last picture with Mom and Pops!

My bud 

I laugh because everyone (myself included) talks about how missionaries are treated as if they are about to die when the leave for the MTC. In a way, they kind of do, at least to others. They are gone for two years, only accessible by emails and semi-annual phone calls. Many of the things that have defined their lives (sports, school, friends, hobbies, girls, music, video games, television, etc.) are being left behind for something better, if only for two years. 

Well, once we pulled up and started to get out, that's when the tears started stinging. I tried really, really hard not to cry but I had too many emotions going on! I felt sorry that I wouldn't be able to see him; excited for him, for the experiences and knowledge he would gain; and scared for him because of the challenges and trials that accompany a mission. I wanted to get a picture with him as we dropped him off, but he was crying, we were all crying, my hands were shaking, and everyone wanted to just rip the band-aid off. Get it over with. 

Welp, here come the tears

He is such a great kid man. He is smart, kind, funny, and will always be a great example to me. I'm glad he wasn't the oldest, or I'd have a hard time filling those shoes. He is about 6 months into his mission now. Since that time, he struggled to stay excited about the MTC, was impatient to get his visa while serving in Las Vegas in the interim, made it to Argentina, loved his companion and his new area, and was made senior companion.  He's only a quarter of the way there, but I can already see from his letters he is growing and learning and improving. I am so excited for him to make these wonderful memories that will stick with him forever and that will teach him life-long lessons. And I am excited for him to share in the joy that the gospel brings to others as he lives with and serves the Argentines. These two years will be invaluable! Despite all the life experiences he'll gain while away, I feel like he will really be the same goofy but humble and respectable watermelon-cement head he has always been.