Since He's Been Gone...

After we dropped Sean off at the MTC, we came home to find an empty house and this little guy! My dear friend Tammy had gone to "Build A Bear" and made me my own missionary bear! (She also made one for herself because Jared left on his mission the following week.) When I squeezed the bear's hand, we heard Sean's voice saying..."I love you mom and dad, see you soon!" Steele and I just broke down and cried ...but my "Seanie" bear is my favorite thing!
I felt so sad as I started to think about all the places and trips Sean would miss in the next two years, but then I realized... this "Sean" could come! So for the next 2 years I am taking my bear all the places that Sean would go if he were here and then document them all! Just thinking about the plethora of places I could take him made me smile. Now Tammy's on board and we are taking our bears everywhere! (Much to Steele's dismay.) People look at us like we are crazy...but what else is new? At the end of two years we're going to put the pictures together in a book and give it to the boys. I know they will get a good laugh from it, but not near as many laughs as it will bring us along the way! So here's just a few of the early shots of Elder Larson and Elder Fadel...don't be surprised if one day they end up on your doorstep!

Sunday Dinner

Ready to go!

With his loyal dog!
With his cousin Dalton
his favorite nephew!
Ordering at "Mo Bettah"
Ummm...Yummy!

The Last One...

Wednesday we took what I hope will be our last trip to the Provo MTC! (At least for 18 years!) Sean left on his two year mission last Wednesday. This is never an easy day, saying goodbye for 2 years with limited contact, is difficult at best. But taking our last son, made it even harder.
It's a day of such conflicting emotions. On one hand, we were so excited for all the great experiences and growth that lie ahead for Sean, but on the other hand, two years is a very long time! What we will have instead is the opportunity to watch Sean's knowledge and testimony of the gospel grow. He will have experiences in the mission field that he cannot get anywhere else and they will be the foundation for the rest of his life. He will devote all his time and attention to The Lord, with no worldly distractions. What a rare and wonderful opportunity! So with that in mind, we dropped him off on the curb of the MTC, where a cute, enthusiastic missionary greeted him, helped him with his luggage and escorted him inside. It still leaves a lump in your throat and a hole in you heart, but it's all for a great reason! So we will anxiously await his first letter, and pray for his safe return! Adios Sean!

Ryan, Sean, Jared and NickSean and JaredSean and Ryan

Sean and Nick

Grandma Larson, Sean and Grandma DavisChelsea, Sean and BreAnnaThe brothers!

Dad and SeanMom and Sean