The Griffin Family: Elder Griffin to the MTC!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Elder Griffin to the MTC!

Well, Josh is officially a missionary!

We took him to the MTC today. It was so quick, I couldn't believe it! We drove into the parking lot at 12:31 and we were driving away by 12:33. It's a good thing we had a nice, long, goodbye at the temple across the street or I would have gone into shock, I think! But, he was so excited this day was finally here that it made it easier for us to see him go. He'll be a great missionary and we're so happy for him!

As usual, I took a zillion pictures--and here are just a few of them...

Elder Griffin with Grandma and Grandpa Harris after being set apart as a missionary Tuesday night.

Another missionary--wow!

One last song...I'm pretty sure he'll miss the piano more than anything (including his loving mother!)

All packed and ready to go.

Saying goodbye to Grandma Griffin

This was our first trip to the MTC in Provo, we dropped Tyson off at the SLC airport so he could fly to the MTC in Argentina. So, I knew this would be a completely different experience. We had heard it would be a quick curb-side drop off (and it was!!) so we went to the temple first to say goodbye

and take some pictures.

Heading to the MTC...

I've driven past here all of my life, and ever since Tyson was born, I'd always think "that's where my missionaries will be someday!" So, I was a little bit in awe of the whole process. Needless to say, I took pictures of everything--while crying. Please disregard the dirty windshield.

I've been busy with the mission prep!

Waiting in line for our turn...

Awesome sight!

Another awesome sight...I love missionaries!

There were 24 drop-off stations where missionaries where waiting to welcome the new arrivals, help them with their luggage, and show them where to go from there. I was taking pictures of everything, and it was at this point that Rob lovingly called me a nerd while I snapped pictures of all the waving missionaries. It's okay, I'm sure they're used to emotional, nerdy moms, right? I hope so!

This nice missionary was Josh's helper.
One more quick hug from mom and he was on his way!

Goodbye Elder Griffin, we love you!

Seriously, two minutes! Rob said it's better that way, like pulling off a band-aid. I guess he's right. I did need ice cream on the way home, though. We'll really miss Josh but we are so thankful he's a missionary and we are excited for him and the people he'll be sharing the gospel with. What a great experience!

I sure do love my two Elder Griffins!

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Little Bits of Wisdom

"Coop, we're really lucky we love each other so much. Not everybody in this world has a best buddy like we do."--Caden

Cooper--"Mom, can I watch a movie in my room tonight?"

Mom--"No, it's a school night, you need to go straight to sleep."

Cooper--"Well, what if I just open one eye and keep the other one closed?"

"Mom, since you're already married, I guess I'll marry Princess Jasmine."--Cooper

"Mom, you're a lot sweet and a lot beautiful!"--Cooper

"Mom, can I help with the laundry? I can take the clothes out of the wetter and put them in the dryer for you."--Cooper

"Mom, I'm so lucky that I can burp really loud!"--Cooper

"Mom, before you play a game, you always have to read the destructions."--Cooper

Caden--"Mom, why does Santa carry so much soap in his sleigh?"

Mom--"What do you mean?"

Caden--"You know, one horse, soap, and sleigh."

"Cooper, one day you're going to grow up and be even taller than mom. It's okay, though, she'll still love you."--Caden

"Mom, you're my BEST girl!"--Cooper

"Mom, does Jesus happy-cry whenever a new baby comes down from heaven?"--Caden

Mom--"Caden, what did you learn at your first day of kindergarten?"

Caden--"We did our ABCs and learned about respect."

Mom--"Oh good, so, what does respect mean?"

Caden--"Well, it mostly means you just try not to act like a butt, and you try not to say "butt" either."

"Mom, will you please stop going to clubs every night? Last night you went to book club, and now you're going to Sam's Club!"--Caden

"Mom, can you hand me the phone? I'm going to call Tyson."

--Caden (On his mission in Uruguay)

"Coop, next to Jesus, you're the best brother ever!" --Caden

"Cooper, you're my whole heart. I just LOVE you!"--Caden

Caden (very calmly)--"Cooper, don't be an ***."
Mom--"Did you just say what I think you said?"
Caden--"Yup"
Mom--"Why would you say THAT?"
Caden--"It's OK mom, I'm just practicing my swear words!"

"Mom, have you noticed that Tyson seems to be forgetting some of his apostrophies lately?"--Kamryn, while reading a missionary email from Ty

Mom--"Do you want me to help you with that, or not?"
Cooper---"Umm..........or not."

"Mom, do you know that I have a crush on you?"--Caden

Mom-"Caden, how did you know that music was from the Harry Potter movie?"
Caden-"I guess I just rememberized it!"

"Mom, don't you think you should take the Special K challenge? YOU could loose up to three inches!"--Kamryn

"Mom, how many pounds do you love Cooper?"--Caden

Mom, it's already been a minute. When I want something, why don't you just say, "Just an hour?"--Caden

"Mom, aren't you glad that after we die we can still snuggle together in heaven?"--Caden

"Cooper, if you ever see a girl crying, you need to run over and see if you can help her feel better."--Caden

"Kamryn, why do you always have to be so anoising?" (annyoing)--Caden

"Buddy, if you ever need anything, just call me and I'll come running!"--Caden, to Cooper

"Mom, did you know that Dad's the biggest, Cooper's the littlest, and I'm the mediumest?"--Caden

"Mom, maybe you should slow down a little. I think you might be going a few inches too fast."--Caden, my little back-seat driver

"Mom, who decided to make red lights and stop signs? All they do is waste our time!"--Caden

Kamryn, while helping me make Halloween Mummy Hotdogs for dinner the other night: "Oh, I just LOVE it when life is fun and yummy!"

The other day, the little kids were getting buckled into the car, and I said, "OK, is everybody ready?" Caden said yes, and Kamryn looked at him and said, "Caden...that was a HISTORICAL question! That means mom already knew the answer, but she just asked the question anyway." That girl keeps me laughing, for sure!

After Tyson left for college, Kamryn was looking through his things and said "You know, Tyson isn't a very interesting person, but he sure did leave some interesting stuff behind!" Sorry Ty, but I thought that was pretty funny.

Yesterday I was sick with a cold, and I asked Caden for a hug. He said "OK, but it has to be quick, or you'll make me sick, and I'll make you just fine."

The other day I overheard Caden telling Cooper "Come over here and I'll teach you how to run real fast so mom can't catch you."

A few weeks ago I went into the boy's room to get Cooper out of his crib in the morning. Caden was still in bed and I asked if he wanted to come down. He said "I'm just laying here waiting for you to tuck me out!"

"Mom, when am I gonna turn five? I have WAY to much energy for a four year old!"--Caden

"Mom, I know you really love me, but I'm jumping off the dresser anyway."--Caden

Kamryn-"Mom, Caden just flipped me off!"
Mom-"It was an accident. Caden doesn't even know what that means."
Kamryn-"Well, that's the SECOND time I've been flipped off this week!"
Mom-"Who else flipped you off?"
Kamryn-"Cooper!"

The other day I was outside pulling weeds, and I said to Kamryn and Caden, "Look guys, here's a little roly-poly!" Kamryn looked at me and said, "Actually mom, it's not REALLY called a roly-poly. These little guys are REALLY called Tomato Bugs!" Ahh, it's always refreshing to have a good laugh while weeding the garden!