'Big Girls Don't Cry' - The Four Seasons

Whoever wrote that song, never had to leave their 2nd son at the MTC. It was so much harder this time. I know that having 2 sons on a mission will be a sweet blessing, but I think one of the reasons I was so sad yesterday was my reconciliation with the passage of time. As I look back on those years when Spencer and Taylor were small, it couldn't possibly have been more than 15 years ago...it feels like it was just yesterday!

The chapters in our family book when all 7 of us were home together are written and done, but I can look forward to the unknown, exciting adventures in the chapters that are yet to come. Just give Gary and I a few days to mourn and wander aimlessly about. I know when we get that first letter from Taylor at the MTC and another great email from Spencer in Pennsylvania, our hearts will be comforted and we will be grateful.

I wouldn't want them doing anything else in their lives right now, but today, I just miss my little boys.

'We'll Bring the World His Truth' - Childrens' Songbook #172

Sunday was a glorious day. My heart is so full. Elder Taylor Judd gave a wonderful, humble, heartfelt talk, and so many of his family and friends traveled to be with us, that we couldn't help but rejoice and enjoy the moment. We are trying to savor every minute we have left with him, so this entry is short, but I hope you enjoy some of the pictures from the day.

'Everything Changed' - Taylor Judd

I haven't blogged much lately. We've been busy trying to cram a lot into these last couple of weeks with Taylor. Yesterday he recorded the song he wrote about his 'Sacred Grove experience.' He wanted to finish it before his non-farewell this Sunday. If you'd like to hear it, you can go to http://www.theneighborhoodjukebox.com then click on inspirational and scroll down to Taylor's name. You can even vote if you like it. If you'd like an mp3 copy just let me know and I'll send you one!

'The Candyman' - Sammy Davis Jr.

We are all on a sugar high at our house...it was a very successful Halloween night! Warm weather and little legs that can run fast and cover a lot of territory make for a heavy pillowcase full of candy. Sarah's was the lightest of the loads, as she volunteered to shepherd several little girls in our neighborhood. Enjoy these pictures of the 8th grade Elmo and his best friend, our AF basksetball player, and our cute girly nerd and her fans.

'I Write the Songs' - Barry Mannilow

I had such a fun day with Taylor yesterday. Let me tell you why. Right after graduation, Taylor went on a 3 week church history tour with seminary students. They visited all the major and minor church sites, as well as New York and D.C. After he returned home he spent most of the summer writing a song about his experience in the Sacred Grove. He's hoping to get it added to the 'Heritage Tours CD' that is given to all the kids every summer who go on the tour. Our friend Jeff Sermon hooked us up with 2 of the legends in the LDS music industry, Mike Dowdle and Greg Hansen. We spent yesterday afternoon in a recording studio with them and they worked their magic on his song. I kept trying to help Taylor grasp what an amazing opportunity this was...Greg Hansen and Mike Dowdle for crying out loud! I'd never even gotten to meet them before, let alone work with them! Next week we'll go back in and add Taylor's vocals. It was so rewarding to share time in a studio with my son. We had a blast.

'God Bless the USA' - Lee Greenwood

I was hoping that voting early would be a bit faster than waiting until next week. I guess that's what everyone else thought too, because by the time I got to our public library at five minutes after the polls were open, the line was already out the door, and snaking down the sidewalk. I waffled for a minute, because I had a schedule to keep and kids to pick up. But I committed and established my place in line. People around me were cheerful and kind, and most seemed to be in good spirits. Perhaps it was because we got to just stand there and enjoy the GORGEOUS fall day. Though I must admit as the minutes seemed to drag on and the line didn't seem to be moving, there were a few times my 'natural man' was showing as some dared to butt in line. I didn't say anything, but I'm sure they felt my eyes boring into the back of their heads. After about an hour I started to complain in my head as my cellphone began ringing with kids wondering where I was and why I hadn't picked them up yet. But then I thought of my beloved Grandpa Parks who was wounded in World War II, and of the sacrifices made by my father-in-law while he served in the air force. Then I was embarrassed. Standing in line is nothing. My kids could wait, dinner would be something simple and thrown together, and errands are over-rated. I'm grateful to live in a country where I can vote, even if I had to wait 90 minutes in line.

'The Monster Mash' - Boris Pickett

Last night for FHE we had our traditional Halloween Ghoulish Feast. Every year I try to come up with new dishes that will gross out the kids, so this time I added zombie vomit and witch fingers. Unfortunately I didn't get a great picture of all the food, but here's a shot of our plates last year, as well as some cute pictures of the fam and our fun cousins we invited. I'm not sure zombie vomit is what Elder Uchtdorf had in mind when he spoke to the RS sisters about finding happiness in creating, but this week that's what it looked like at my house.

'Rumbly in my Tumbly' - Winnie the Pooh

I often hear myself say to my kids, 'If you dance all night, you gotta pay the fiddler.' Well, this morning, Gary and I were singing that tune. Last night our dear friends invited us to the UVU Scholarship Ball where he is a vice-president. The culinary school showcases their talented students for the black tie event. It was fun to dress up and go out on a 'real date.' We had an hour of mingling amidst tables and tables of incredible appetizers and ice sculptures. We ran into old friends, and enjoyed visiting, eating all the while. Before we knew it, we were full. Then, they made the announcement to move to our tables for the 6 course dinner! Amazing food, glorious presentation, and great entertainment. We feasted until we were physically ill! But we still managed to catch a dance or two on the dance floor before we rolled to our car. I have a rumbly in my tumbly this morning but it was SO worth it.

'Little Purple Pansies' - #244 Children's Songbook

Today I am grateful for pansies. I have always loved them. Purple is my favorite color, and I loved to sing the primary song about them when I was little. Today I was planting them in some pots and in my front planter. I love to get my hands in the dirt and work...that's when I do some of my best thinking. The pansy gets it's name from the French word pensee' meaning 'thought.' It was so named because the flower resembles a human face and in August it nods forward as if in deep thought. Because of the origin of it's name, the pansy has long been a symbol of free-thought. Maybe I looked like a pansy as I worked. It's hard not to think about heavy things these days, with presidential campaigns, the economic crisis, and the uncertainty in our country swirling about us...but as I looked at those pansies, I felt hope. Another reason I love pansies is because they not only survive, but thrive while other blossoms die as it turns colder. They must be a 'faithful flower.' They reminded me that there is much to be happy about and that an abundant life is a simple life.

'Slip Slidin' Away' - Paul Simon

"Happy Hump Day!" Spencer has been serving in Pennsylvania for a year now, and this day has brought many emotions. It's gone by so quickly, yet when I reflect on the time, it feels long as well. I am so grateful for the growth, and refining work of the spirit in his life and character. It is amazing to see him grow up so much. As parents, we knew he had it in him, and the Lord is a much better parent than we are. In his year-mark email, I think it is telling that he didn't even mention how long he'd been gone, or how long he had left. He was too excited telling us about Elder Bednar's visit to his mission this week-end for stake conference. Elder Bednar is having a special meeting with the missionaries and their investigators and we could feel the joy in Spencer's words. When folks ask how our Elder is doing, Gary and I jokingly reply that he is doing so well, we hope he can extend an extra year. I'm not sure my mother's heart could take it, but I must admit, it's been a vacation in a way, not worrying about my teenage son, but I know when he does return, he will be a man. I love you, Elder Judd. Hurrah for Israel!