Congrats, Eli! You are the best sixteen year old ever!
The Fourth of July fell on a Sunday. Christine invited us over- apparently to surprise Sharon for her Birthday dinner. I was confused why she was so excited to see us walk in! We sure love Grandma, and sure love how much she loves us! I had a great time chatting with Paul and Sharon, as well as Cameron's mom and dad. They're the best people.
After the license for Eli, the next anticipated event is sending Adren to HEFY. It is so interesting how this even came about. I was talking with Jen, who mentioned it because she had sent Jonah to Taiwan several years ago and he loved it. I was unfamiliar with it. After our conversation I couldn't stop thinking about it. I just felt so strongly that it was exactly what Adren needed in his life right now. As I looked into it, I saw it was pricey, and unlikely he could get on, being it was March and trips fill up in the fall! I called the SLC office and the person I spoke with said I could put money down to get him on a waiting list, but because they were trying to place kids from the cancelled summer of 2020 it was unlikely. I decided to just try and see what would happen. I put in dates he was available and really hoped it would work out. Soon enough, he got an email saying he was going on the Puerto Rico, Maunabo trip! I was thrilled he wouldn't be too far away, or need a passport. Adren was always on board with this, which I loved! Getting him ready to go was a little stressful. Finding and organizing his flight to Miami to arrive in the time frame he was supposed to meet up with his group, worried about him maneuvering layovers and gates, a medical checkup, documents notarized, getting him phone service, and don't even get me started on the stressful COVID testing (and backup testing!) within the timeframe he is to enter the country! He needed specific items on his packing list like a hard hat, carpentry hammer, shoes that could get ruined etc. He got a bad haircut. (too short!) It was a lot, but we managed to cram his bags and carry-on, and give him lots of instructions on how not to get mugged in a crowded airport all by himself. Yikes! He had to be at the SLC airport at 4:30pm on the 14th. Jon and I drove him up and got him all checked in. When we went through security we learned that one of us parents could escort him to the gate, so I had him go ahead and I ran back to grab a temporary pass at check-in. By the time I caught up to his gate, Adren was sitting there, so happy and relieved that he had found his gate on his own. He needed to do that and I could tell he was reassured. He finally had an appetite so we grabbed some dinner and chatted until he needed to board.
I was up throughout the night until about 4am texting him as he waited in the Denver airport, nervous that his gate was changed and hoping he was at the right gate, then happy to hear he had landed 5am Miami time, but nervous about him getting his bag. What if they lost his bag??? Then hoping he was able to find a safe spot to catch a nap while he waited to meet up with his group at 2:00pm. He hooked up with a group of kids in the same HEFY shirts going to Puerto Rico, only to learn after a bit that they were going to Ponce. At least he wasn't alone all those hours! I was so relieved when he was finally with other adults and able to meet his group! Then his 6pm flight out of Miami was delayed about an hour. I was stressed about him getting through the COVID stuff. I kept watching his location and saw he had landed in Puerto Rico, but was still in the Puerto Rico airport and worried there would be trouble with the testing times and paperwork. I finally felt such relief when he texted they were through all the security checks and had his bag in hand! HOORAY, HE MADE IT! I felt bad for how tired he had to be, he said he never slept on the plane or airport. Poor guy. But, he's young and excited, so there's that.
At this point they had to all turn in their phones so we said our good-bye's. I would be glued to Instagram for the next 11 days, eating up every single post and examining every single picture. His group leaders were great about posting a lot. One day I felt a little frustrated at the lack of pictures, then realized they had posted eight! Never enough! It was so fun for me to see all that he was up to. Cliff jumping, rope swinging, hiking in the forests, swimming at the house, eating local food, walking through the city, bus rides, building a house damaged from a hurricane, devotionals, youth activities, it looked like he was having a great time!
On Pioneer Day we went out to dinner with Jen and Brad. It was so good to see them, it has been years! We met up for dinner in downtown SLC and got all caught up on our lives, for the most part. There is never enough time! After dinner we got dessert at another place, mostly so we could keep chatting. Finally, they needed to get back to their family and Jon and I headed to the airport to pick up Adren. We are picking up Adren!!!
It was sooooooo goooooood to see him and hug him! He made it! He looked tan, tired and happy. It was so good to hear all about his trip, I had one million and twenty questions. I liked how he described it: There have been two life-changing events in his life. The first was when he lost strength and feeling in his legs, the second is HEFY. He said he has 20 new best friends, he has never bonded so quickly and deeply with kids before and it was so hard to leave everyone. He even met a cute girl, which makes me happy because I think he needs to have feelings for other gals at this point in his life. It all just exceeded our expectations, I couldn't be more thrilled for him. I told him it sounded like the trip helped him get out of his own head. He said that was a great way to describe it. He really is a different kid, in the best way. We will continue to have great conversations about the experience for months and months to come. HEFY!
Meanwhile, we have the cutest daughter on the planet, and I love to
just take her in:
My little Zekey is about to enter big 7th grade. He is so sweet and kind, confident and reflective. I hope Junior High coming up doesn't drain him too much.
