Tender Mercies

"I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."
D&C 84:88

Tyler and Parker chatting at the airport.

I love this picture.  

One last picture of the kids...

...and the goodbye hugs start.

I love these ones between Maris and Tyler.

<3

It was crazy watching him, still so much my little boy, all dressed up like a man in his suit, getting ready to go out into the world.

It was such a comfort to me to know that Brent, Stephanie, and Connor Blaisdell were waiting for him in Salt Lake.  

We are so grateful for the Blaidell's for this sweet act of kindness.

It's real!

There he goes!

When he entered the MTC, our friend Dallen Done was there to check him in and give him his name badge.  What a gift it was to me to get to see my boy, smiling and happy.

We have felt the prayers of our many friends who have been so thoughtful as to remember us.  We are happy and feel God's love, peace, and comfort.

I am convinced that some of the "angels" the Lord promised would bear us up are our dear friends.

Goodbye son, Vaya con Dios!

Farewell Party

Since Tyler, Robert and Dimitri all leave within one week of each other (Robert and Tyler on July 30th and Dimitri on August 6th), we moms thought it would be fun to have a farewell party for all three of them on July 29th.  It was so much fun to see all their friends and be able to say goodbye to them.

Dimitri has been called to California Bakersfield, Provo MTC August 6th.

Robert is called to Ecuador Quito North, Mexico MTC, July 30th.

As a mom, this was one of the hardest things to watch...Tyler and Dimitri will see each other next week because they are at the same MTC, but Robert is going to the CCM in Mexico.  They are leaving on their missions on the same day, but heading in different directions.  Robert has been such a blessing to Tyler and is a true friend.  The "goodbye's" were the hardest.

Traditional GQ pose.  :)

Lots of hard goodbyes....

These boys are all like brothers.  Well, to be fair, Robert and Nate really are brothers, and so are Tyler and Parker.  It's fun when your BFF's have matching kids who all really love each other!

Last picture before Tyler got in the car and headed to President Platt's home to be set apart.  There are some red eyes...

We are so grateful for the amazing friends and support Tyler has as he heads off on his mission.