Pre-Mission Memories with the Fat

Fatty has been gone for three days now. We are still missing him tons. But I thought I would post some pics of some of the fun things we got to do together before he left. We had so much fun, and I'm so glad we spent so much time together, Every day I become more and more grateful to have such a close family. Most of our activities involved things Makee and Belly would like, but I don't think Fatty minded. He did mind all the pictures I took of him before he left. But I don't care.

Hanging out at the Aquarium

Swimming at Murray Park

Hanging out at Home with ScootieMakee obsessed with his Uncle YoYo

The Kiddies hanging out with their Uncle JJuly 4th Celebrations24th of July CelebrationsUncle J with his niecesA Pre-Mission PartyUncle J and RyRyUncle J and BaiA Canyon CookoutA very thoughtful Uncle Since Fatty won't be here for the Fat Babies' birthdays (that is what he calls Makee and Belly), he gave them their birthday presents early. He gave Isabelle a bunch of darling princess shoes, which Mak was obsessed with. He gave Mak a DeRon Williams jersey and a basketball that he had ordered online months before. He was so excited to give it to him. I wanted to cry. It was so sweet of him to think of the babies. He even gave little toys to Bailee and Rylin, and he gave a toy to Burtie, Whit and Pete's baby that is due in October.

Uncle J and Rylin

Uncle J and Bailee

Hanging out at the Fukui Family ReunionI made Fatty make a yarn lei with me at the reunion. He wasn't thrilled about it, but he was a good sport.

Fatty with Rylin and BaileeHelping YoYo pack for his mission! actually, Makee was helping him do better unpacking. I was okay with him helping unpack.For our last weekend, we spent Saturday getting ready for the farewell. But in th afternoon, we all went to the zoo. Then we came back to our house and hung out in our backyard. we ate Jason's Deli, ice cream, brownies, and cookies. Yeah, we know to eat. Fatty isn't much of a fatty at all. He's not a real sweet tooth. But he did eat some of my brownies. we had a lot of fun that day.Well, I've had a really hard time with Jared being gone. I didn't think it would be so hard, but I've been kind of a mess. I just have a meltdown every now and then. When we pulled into my parent's garage after dropping him off at the MTC, his car was sitting there, just like he left it, with his bandannas hanging from his rear view mirror. We all kinda lost it--especially my mom. Then she walked into the house and Isabelle asked "Where G go?" She calls Jared "G." Another melt down. Then later Makee came over to my parent's house, and he searched the house over calling for Yo-Yo. I have to admit I don't like being at my mom and dad's right now because everywhere you look there are reminders of Fatty. Pictures are everywhere, he left a tie out, he left his basketball shorts in the bathroom. Every time I see something of his, I tear up. I can't imagine what it's like for my parents. Even when I'm at home, I'll see a picture of him or something that reminds me of him and cry. I looked in the cupboard the other day an saw some leftover packs of Mac and Cheese I used to make him when he came over for lunch, and I lost it. It's so hard for me when Makee asks for YoYo because he doesn't understand. He has been such a sweet little guy. When he sees me crying, he comes over, gives me a love, and wipes away my tears with his chubby little hand. Oh,I love my little boy!

I know if we can make it through these next few weeks, it will get better. I hope I'm not sounding non-supportive. I just don't do well with change--especially when it involves my little brother being literally halfway across the world with no contact but an occasional letter. I know Jared must be doing better than we are. He adjusts pretty easily to things. We got his first letter, and he sounded pretty good. and that was his first night. I know he is going to do great. And even though it doesn't sound like it, I wouldn't want him to be anywhere else. In the long-term prospective, two years will fly by.Check http://elderjaredgarrick.blogspot.com/ for updates!