get READY, SET apart, GOodbye!!! (Part 2)

Jason had planned to serve a mission ever since he was a young boy. As the years passed he began to count down the time until he would be able to go. Since he received his call this past fall he started counting months and then weeks. Somewhere along the way those weeks suddenly turned into days. Yikes!!! Now, in the "11th hour" it is definately time to pack. (Bear in mind...he has been shopping and gathering his things for quite awhile). Let's take a journey with Jason through his final hours before he flies away into the wild blue yonder:


This is the beginning of the the packing process (Monday night). You won't see Jason in these pictures. "Why?" you may ask? Becauses he's busy running around trying to figure out how on earth he's going to get SO MUCH stuff in SO LITTLE space. :D

Amazing!! He did it. The largest bag took three of us to get it closed. PLEASE don't let it explode open on the plane. The very last item he had to fit in was a pillow. I remember looking at the bag as thinking "NO way"...but he and his dad thought it wouldn't be a problem and sure enough, we were able to get it closed. Should we weigh them? Nah. Even the biggest one mostly just has bedding in it. Now off to watch a movie downstairs with the family one last time (yes it's quite late but then he and Marissa had been planning all along they were going to stay up most of the night anyway). Once he's a full time missionary it's lights out at 10:00 and up at 6:30 so this is his last chance for two years.
President Johnson, our stake president with Jason after he set him apart as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. This was a very special moment that we were grateful to be there for.

Family together for his setting apart.


We went to breakfast at IHops afterwards. Here Jason is spending a few minutes with Ethan. Ethan, will you remember Uncle Jason when he comes home?

Garth and I with Jason before we leave for the airport.
You can't tell how proud we are of our son can you?


One last goofy pose for the memory...


We dropped Brandon off at work on the way to the airport. He apparently wanted to make sure Jason would remember who was taller. Brotherly love at it's best. (Is someone on their toes?)

This is starting to look a little too real. Now we're talking "minutes".

Self check in. Right after this is where we find out we owe $40.00 for an extra bag and another $90.00 because the largest bag is 11 pounds overweight. There are worse things, right?

Last hugs and kisses given and he's on his way through security.

Goodbye Jason!! :( Sob, sniff) We love you and we are going to miss you. May Heavenly Father watch over you and keep you safe until we meet again in two years.