IMT Revealed and OutBack

My boys love OutBack. It is their place. They go to Outback every Priesthood session and every chance they get. With Aaron going to Mexico City Neil knew there wouldn't be any chance for Aaron to go to OutBack and it would be too sad to go with out him. So our family did a two year strike on OutBack. No OutBack for two years. 

I can't believe we made it!

Kinsey is not a fan of OutBack. They serve a lot of meat here. But she was such a great sport and she knew this night was a special night for our family-for Aaron.

This night was something that was two years in the making.

Aaron enjoying his favorite food in the world. Prime Rib-Seasoned and Seared.

We all enjoyed our food but we were all a little nervous and excited.

You see this night was the IMT reveal. IMT means I Miss Tyke.

(tyke or tykie is Aarons knick name).

We all missed Aaron so badly when he left on his mission. Having only three kids in a family and him being the only boy. It makes a huge difference when one is gone.

When Aaron first left we were all hurtin. Missing Aaron.

Aaron had a hard adjustment in the MTC and that made it hard for everyone.

Neil and Kinsey made up a saying. "I ain't gonna lie I'm HURTIN"

They said it all the time and would say I can't wait until Aaron gets home and we can say

"I ain't gonna lie I'm hurtin NO MORE"

Tonight was that night. And they shouted it out loud.

When Neil was missing Aaron and worrying about how Aaron was doing he came up with a plan. He decided he was going to take the pain of missing Aaron and turn it into energy into action. Neil is a man of no talk but action.

As Aaron would struggle and over come things. 

The MTC, the adjustment of a new culture and country, the language, companions who were difficult and didn't want to work, home sickness, all kinds of other sickness, dogs, etc.

Aaron grew in strength, Aaron grew in his testimony. He became a man. One who loved God.

Neil grew in pride and determination to show his son how proud he was of him.

To show him that good should be rewarded.

Neil started the Tyke fund or the IMT fund. It started with $60 he earned by bowling at McKinsey's work Christmas party. Neil continued this fund by doing everything imaginable. He substitute taught, he delivered cabinets, tried to sell cabinets, sold old bats, sold baseball cards, wrote articles for magazines or anyone who would pay him money. He started a business. He worked so so hard in the last two years. He was a man on a mission. His own mission.

He couldn't sit still he was so determined, so driven.

So this was his gift to his son. Aaron opened it and just look at that smile. Priceless.

I wish I could of had a shot of Neil's face. He was glowing.

The gift was a key. Notice the key chain it says IMT.

Neil covered with tape on the key so Aaron couldn't see what kind of vehicle it was.

Aaron had to go to the parking lot and push the button to find out what it was.

It was a Toyota Tacoma. Aaron's dream vehicle. He was shocked. To say the least.

Neil will be driving Aaron's old 1986 Nissan Truck and he couldn't be happier. It has no air conditioning and is older than Aaron is. But Neil wouldn't have it any other way.

I now have my own saying "What kind of man" That is what I say to Neil all the time. What kind of man would work so hard and be so willing to give it all to his son with pride. 

Most men would want the truck, especially if they had worked as hard as Neil. 

Not Neil.

He wanted to reward his son to reward the good that he has done.

It has been hard for Aaron to accept it. He keeps telling Neil no you deserve it not me and I can't let you drive my old truck, or why? He will tell people it's our family truck. He hasn't driven it around much. He didn't call his friends to brag or go show it off. It is too important too special. Aaron knows the meaning behind the truck and it really isn't about the truck. It is about the love of a father and a family who sacrificed to show our son, our brother how much we love him and how proud we are of him.

I made Neil keep a record, a diary of how he earned the money. 

Some entries are simple like I substituted today and earner $45 dollars or I wrote an article and got $100 dollars. This money was earned a dollar at a time and it was not easy. 

Neil gave this book to Aaron and I know that the book will mean as much or more to Aaron than the truck does.

This entry has been long. I just wanted to document it and write my feelings about it. I will never forget. I am full of emotion. I am full of pride for my son for serving an honorable mission. For enduring the hardships that he had at times. For growing into a man. A man of God who has learned what is most important in life. I am proud of my husband for being a man of integrity a man who does not think of himself first. He loves his family and he works so hard.

All I can say is "What kind of man"? I love you Neil. I am proud and

I know the hard work this was and I know how much it means to you.

Football with our Lindon Ward

Neil and Aaron got invited to play in our old Lindon ward's annual football game. It was last Saturday. Aaron had only been home 3 days so he was still adjusting. But they had a great time.

Aaron was asked to come speak in our old ward on Dec 14th. This is the ward that we were in when Aaron left on his mission. I was really glad they asked him. He will be speaking with his friend Jeremy Bentley who returns from Guam on December 12th.

This ward does a lot of activities with the young men against the Elders. There have been a lot of fun games over the years. Neil and Aaron miss those.

SAMMY'S Dance Recital

Sammy's dance studio had a dance recital last friday. She preformed in two dances and did a fabulous job. Way to go Sammy. Aaron and Kinsey and I went. Neil had to work. Aaron was so funny he wouldn't even watch the dances. He looked down thru the entire recital. I guess Mission rules are hard to not live. It was cute. I had to tell him to look up when Sammy was on.

This dance was to the song Alright. It was so fun and Sassy!

Watch out she means business.

Sammy and Maddie.

This dance was a group dance with other companies. It was to the song Hollywood.

Happy Birthday Kinsey

Kinsey is now 18. She is now an Adult.

That's ok though because we have a family rule.

"As long as I'm living my baby you'll be"

It is from our favorite childrens book.

Sammy gave Kinsey a cute coat. Red plaid her favortie.

We went Bowling and to Madagascar 2 and to dinner.

It was a wonderful day!

Kinsey got the first STRIKE!

Kinsey is happy she had her brother home to celebrate her birthday.

When she woke up he had a present and a note ready for her.

It was an Aztec Calendar. It is so cool.

We ate at Rice King. It was an all Vegan day for all of us.

"Kinsey's rule of the day"

The guys were nervous about the food but it was better than they thought.

Brett gave Kinsey these pretty flowers.

He also drew her this AMAZING picture. It looks just like the photo.

I can't imagine how long this took him.

I made Kinsey a Vegan Chocolate cake.

Happy Birthday my sweet girl. I love you so much.

Kinsey got a new camera an SLR and she is excited to start using it.

Look for more amazing photo's from her coming soon.

He's Home

He's home... Ok I admit. I lost it when I saw him. The plane was delayed a half an hour which felt like forever. 

Finally the moment is here and we see the missionaries walking towards the esculator. Aaron is the first missionary. Wait...they keep walking past where they should have come down the stairs. The airport workers were trying to tell them where to go and then the workers gave us the wait a minute sign. What is going on?

They were scared...later Aaron told us that they just couldn't come down and they went over to the side and said a prayer. I can't imagine the emotion. They are no longer missionaries. That is sad for them. They are begining a new chapter in their lives.

I was so emotional and I just pushed my way towards Aaron and just cried and held on to him. It was a long yet wonderful two years. Well done my son.

The kids made some great posters.

This was the moment. I was just crying. Neil and Aaron together.
Ahhh my heart is full. Neil couldn't let go.

The girls finally have their big brother home.

Together as a family again.

Welcome Home Aaron

Returning with Honor from the Mexico City South Mission

The day we have been waiting for is here... It is finally here and

Aaron is coming home TODAY!

I didn't sleep last night much or for that fact in the last week maybe month.

I am so full of gratitude and pride today.

I thank my Father in Heaven for his watchful eye on my son.

For the help he gave in the MTC in Mexico and here at home.

We would be nothing without his love and blessings.

I can't wait to hug my son today. That will be the greatest feeling.

Aaron I love you and I am so proud. Well done.

Sadie Hawkins

Sammy went to her first High School Dance.

The cheer squad was in charge of the dance.

They took the Peer tutor kids as their dates. Sammy took

Robbie who is her friend Maddie's brother.

Robbie looked so handsome in his cowboy gear.

Mexico City South Mission - Coming HOME

Tomorrow is the day. It is finally here. My boy is coming home.
I can't wait to give him a big hug.

Aaron speaks in sacrament meeting on Sunday November 23rd at 1:00.
We would love to see you all there. If you need more information let me know.

Goodbye for now Shari

My sister in law Shari Warner passed away on Nov 11, 2008. She had just finished her goal of her 50th state and died on the plane coming home from Alaska. Randall (Neil's brother) and Shari met on a plane on their way home from their missions and were married three months later. I guess in some way they ended this earthly life together in the same way they had met.

It was a beautiful service. Randall spoke and he did such a good job. The Warner men sure are amazing. Randall and Shari have 8 children. I hope they all know we love them and are here for them.

Coming Home

Elder Aaron Keith Warner will be returning

from his mission on November 19th, 2008 at 4:00 pm.

This was some mission pictures we had taken before Aaron left on his mission.

Ah I miss this boy. I know he is now a man. But...to me he will always be my boy. My baby boy and only son. I wonder will he look the same? Sound the same? Feel the same? My mind is swirling with thoughts, with worries, with joy and love. Mostly my heart is so full and tears are close to the surface. My son is coming home. I have missed him. I have needed him.

This was our last goodbye. To look back now I am amazed at how much has happened in the last two years. We have had joys and sorrows. Good times and some of the roughest times of my life. I have grown in the last two years. I hope I can remember and keep in my heart all that I have learned.

Our family has been blessed. I don't think we would have made it through our challenging time if Aaron wasn't keeping us going by serving his mission. When we thought we couldn't move forward or make it. He would send us a letter and it would say just the right thing. He seemed to know what we needed.

I am full of gratitude to my Heavenly Father. I have never prayed harder in my life. I have felt my prayers being answered and I have had such peace and comfort over my prayers for Aaron.

Heavenly Father watches out for his missionaries and their families.

The 19th can't come soon enough. I am so excited. Today I worked on getting his room ready. It was so fun to do. I got teary touching his clothes and getting things ready for him.

11 days to go...