Christmas
The Jolly Ole Elf found us again this year and we were all sufficiently spoiled. It was fun to watch everyone open their gifts. When we were about 3 quarters of the way through the piles of presents...the phone rang. I can't remember who said it, but someone said..."Now WHO would call on Christmas morning?" We all just looked at each other, buried by our gifts, then we all hollered out together, "BRYCE!" And there was a mad scramble for the phone. LOL Everyone had their chance to visit with Bryce, then it was Mom and Dad's turn to talk. It was wonderful to hear his voice! But my son was EMPTY! It broke my heart to hear him so sad and depressed. When we hung up, Jim and I just shook our heads as we felt so helpless and didn't know quite what we could to do help him. Slowly we resumed our opening of gifts. Then we just played, ate and lazed around.
Bailey, Laira, and Xander excited to open gifts.
Jim, Xander, and Ashley amongst the Christmas Chaos.New Years Day
Jim got a call from our Stake President, telling us there was going to be a "phone interview" the next day with him, the Mission President and Bryce. AND that we might also be included and he wanted to know if we would be available. Yes, we would be available. The next day, we DID get a call and Bryce was telling us he wanted to come home. There was much discussion and it was decided that WAS the best thing. That night, Bryce was really having a hard time as the Mission President and all the Elders were trying to convince him to stay. Bryce finally asked President for a blessing. And President said, "You KNOW what I'm going to say." And Bryce said, "I just need a blessing." In the blessing he said, "Heavenly Father is behind your decision and the way will be made for your family and friends with understanding." Well, how can you argue with that. He was miserable, depressed and wasn't effective anymore...and it seemed that Heavenly Father knew his time was done. Two hours later, we get the phone call that he has his ticket and we need to pick him up the next evening at 8:04 PM.
The AIRPORT
Since we went over to pick Matthew up, I'd never had the experience of waiting there in Baggage Claim for them to come down the escalator. I was watching for him and then...there he was! Bryce looked WONDERFUL....and the tears just started to flow! When he got to the bottom, I ran up to him and just hugged him and cried. He kind of chuckled and hugged me back, then the rest of the family came to him....it was great to have everyone together again. He kept saying..."This is so weird....I just left Florida and yet, here I am."
Not a very good picture, but Bryce, Matt and Jim waiting for his luggage.Sunday Flambe'
Sunday morning, Bryce, Jim and I met with the Stake President and Bryce was released as a full time missionary. It was a nice meeting and weird to no longer have a missionary. When we got home, just like most other Sunday's, I prepared a roast and placed it in the oven to cook while we were in church. Well, the oven had a different idea. Instead of keeping the temperature steady at 300 degrees, it just kept on going. After a few hours and all the liquid had disappeared, it started to smoke, then BURN. Luckily Denae, who had worked the night before was home and woke up coughing from the smoke, ran upstairs, pulled the food out and threw it outside. She said the smoke filled the top half of the rooms. As she carried it outside, she said flames were coming out from under the foil. She tried to turn the oven off, but it wouldn't shut off. They finally flipped the breaker to stop it. By the time I got home, the smoke was pretty much cleared out, but the house smelled of SMOKE....BAD!!! Matt and Denae worked together to come up with a microwave dinner that was enough for all. As we were seated for dinner I thought...."Of course the oven 'fritzed'....my missionary was released!" LOL
Repair or Replace
When ever something breaks there is the question...do we fix it or just replace it. Cost is usually a big factor in this. We called a few people to get an idea on how much it would cost to repair the existing stove, and the repairman asked "How old is the stove?" Well, that was a good question. I can remember that we bought it at Sears, BEFORE the Provo Town Centre Mall opened....so when was that??? I finally found out that the Mall opened in 1998, so that makes the Stove 10 old MINIMUM....more likely 11 or 12 years old. Then we found out the repair would be around $380.00 Wow, that HALF the cost of a new one! So, we decided with the existing stoves age, and the cost of the repair....to REPLACE it. Kind of fun to pick out a new one....but I didn't get the one I REALLY wanted....but it's a nice stove/oven. Matt had to come along since he has his new found interest in cooking. Should be fun to play with it's new bells and whistles.
All in All
Bryce is doing well, and is starting school right away and looking for a job. The new stove/oven will be here tomorrow (Thursday) and the house still smells like smoke. Anyone have any remedies for THAT? But for a rather eventful two weeks, we are all well and doing fine now. I'm just looking forward to a HOT dinner that didn't come out of the microwave. ; )
3 comments:
It was so good seeing Bryce and hearing his testimony on Sunday. He looks great.
Ugh! I hate it when appliances go kaput! They are supposed to LAST. My parents did....what is wrong with all of this new stuff?
Well let me tell you I know how you feel about appliances breaking. I didn't get to pick the fridge that I wanted but I did get a nice one. Im glad the he is home and safe now. See you tomorrow....
I am glad you still had a house to go home to on Sunday!!! Atleast you get a new stove!! I never get "the one" i want either ,but always get one that gets the job done! Doesn't it seem like everything happens at once!! I'm glad Bryce is home safe and sound. Always nice for a mom to have her boys around her.
Post a Comment