Joeys coming Home!

After three weeks of blissful quiet, we headed up to Flagstaff to bring home my little man. Even Mackenzie missed him! And he looked so happy to see us! I think this the longest he has been away from home! But what a mess he was! His ankles were almost brown from caked on dirt, his face had not been washed in days. And if the lake had been close enough, I think I would have thrown him in! He insisted that he did a lot of laundry, you know, cuz last time I made a big deal about it. When I asked him how many times he showered, he admitted he only showered twice.

IN THREE WEEKS!!!

Apparently getting his swimming merit badge counted. (four times in the water) Thank goodness chlorine has its own cleaning agents! Needless to say when we got home that boy and I had a date with destiny!! We cleaned his face with facial cleanser for the first time ever. After the experience he promised me he would shower every other day. Why don't I think of these things before he goes to camp?

HIs phone came back unharmed from camp. I was somewhat surprised. And the 300 minutes, 300 messages died as we pulled into camp to pick him up. I was impressed! I thought he would use up those minutes long before he finished his job.

 

All fun aside, I love my kid! I really did miss him and I hear he wants to do it all again next year! I am proud that he wanted to give up so much time to volunteer and that his heart is growing fond of service. He is growing up to be someone I am proud of. 

 

Speaking of growing, please keep him in your prayers,  We are hoping and praying every day that he gets taller and every little bit helps :)

 

 

 

We dropped Joey off at camp and then I headed up 10 days later to make sure he was okay. Travis could not get off so Tami and Jim were going to come with us. Tami totally forgot she had a presidency meeting. You see, she was just called to be the first counselor in the Relief Society in her ward. So I went up with Jim, Zach, and Josh. Mackenzie stayed with Emily. Yeah, she has had enough of Camp Raymond, lol!

 

Joey's job was the quartermaster, or he was in charge of the equipment shed. He loved it and he was good at it! He checked stuff in and out every day. He was so proud of his shed!!!

 

I  must admit I didn't miss him as much as I thought I would. Actually it is probably because he did call me. In fact, he called me at least 4 times a day! -And the reason I came up in the middle of his session is because I got a call from him a few days before that was unbelievable.

It was 5 in the morning and the call came in and he was crying and screaming that I needed to come and get him. It was raining so hard and the wind was blowing the tent in all directions. He cried and cried and wanted to come home. No matter what I said, he could not calm down. He even put the phone down and was hysterical for a bit until he realized I was still on the line. I told him to go to the mess hall and wait the storm out. He would feel better. He finally said he would. I called him back about three hours later to see how he was doing. He said he was fine and in regards to the conversation we had earlier, I should forget about it. He didn't want to come home after all. That must have been one storm!!!

Meanwhile, when I got there his tent was a mess! And I made him clean it up. Jim just laughed and Joey decided I didn't need to visit him anymore but I threatened him that I would be there every day unless kept his laundry up. Jim kept laughing. (Joey did find three shirts that he insisted were left at home.) Zach smiled and thanked his lucky stars that it want him! Hah! Wait till we get home, buster!!!

 

Meanwhile, Mackenzie got new glasses. Aren't they cute?

The Fourth

We kind of spent his and hers fourth of July this year. Britt wanted to go to Benson to celebrate their traditions. My favorite was the parade. I took Loren, Britt, and Mackenzie with me and we left Sunday night. The next morning was the parade. Mackenzie was in it. The rest of us watched from the sidelines. It was pretty good for a small town. Tons of tractors, even Ronald McDonald showed up on a tractor. There was a band but they performed on the back of a flatbed truck. I was not impressed.

But I was impressed with the Barney Auto Sales entry. They had a bunch of trucks on top of a trailer with kids riding on the vehicles and walking next to them. Dakota, Cheyenne, and their families were there and even Mackenzie got to ride up on the white truck. But best of all was this girl!!!

 

She is the reason I come here and I love her to death. This trip was a bit hard and this girl made sure I was taken care of. She gave me her time even though so many of the Barneys were there and I will love her forever for it!!!

We stayed for fireworks and then headed home.