Hall of Fame Birthday!

 For Brody's 16th birthday, he has been saying for years that he wants to go to the NFL Football Hall of Fame in Ohio.  So, I made it happen!  It was tricky with Luke leaving and Cali getting ready to start her mission, but I managed to squeeze it in and we had the best time!

We drove from Provo to Vegas on Wednesday, March 30th.  We got Dad and Cali checked into a hotel and then Jeremy dropped us off at the airport.  We took the red eye from Vegas to Cinicinatti, with a layover in Chicago.

We got to Cincinatti around 10 AM and rented a car.  We drove to our first hotel, on the University of Cincinatti Campus and were hoping they would let us check in early, but they didn't.  So, we checked our bags instead until check in time.  Fun fact-I left my jackets in the van with Jeremy.  And it was freezing!!  Luckily, there was a Target right next to our hotel and I was able to get a hoodie and beanie.  Once I was warm and toasty, we hopped back in the car to go explore and find food!

We found this awesome diner in downtown that gave us rubber duckies at the end of our meal.

We really didn't have a plan, so I googled the best view spots in Cinci and we set off to find them.

This place is beautiful!  Even in the cold gray, we loved everywhere we went and everything we saw.  We ended up in Eden Park.  It is a really big and pretty park in the heart of Cincinatti.  We spent alot of time exploring in there.

We saw the whole city and Brody actually loved it!  He's a great adventure buddy!  Up for anything and puts up with my constant selfie taking.  He really loved all of the old churches.  I can't believe that I don't have any pics of those.  But I was doing the driving, and it's hard to take pics of things while doing that.  We were exhausted when we finally were able to check in.  We just plopped down on our beds and fell asleep.  Luckily, we were surrounded by yummy food places and I was able to just walk and get dinner that night.  We ate and watched college basketball.  What a day!

April 1, 2022

Brody's 16th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Brody Bear!

We started the day with a birthday breakfast from McDonald's!

Then we drove to Paul Brown Stadium for a tour!

We had the greatest little tour guide.  It was so cool walking down all of the hallways and seeing the inner workings of the Bengal's stadium.  So much football history here.

But the best part was when they let us out onto the field.  It is such a cool experience!

We got to stay out there for a nice long while.  We had a small group and took tons of pics and video.  Brody loved it!  So did I!

We did a little shopping in the team store when we were done and then we said Goodbye to Cincinatii.

We had a 3 hour drive to Canton.  But I noticed that The Ohio State University was in Columbus, on the way.  So we made a little detour.

I am so glad we did!  This place is ginormous!  We drove all over the campus and hopped out at the stadium.  It was like a cathedral.  It was so cool and COLD!

We stopped for lunch at the Rusty Bucket for his birthday lunch.  It was delish!

We pulled into Canton around 5 that night and it was snowing!  We were not expecting that.  We were both pretty tired, so we just ate leftovers and watched the Final Four.
Saturday April 2nd-

We woke up to a little bit warmer of a day and went to the yummiest breakfast place, "Scramblers".  Then it was an all day visit to the NFL Hall of Fame!

This is place is so much bigger and better than the last time I was there.  All of he exhibits were awesome and there were so many!

We spent hours in there and tried so hard to find some Carolina Panthers swag in the shop.  But ended up with an Eagles football.

Brody loved it!  It was such a great day!

Then we made the 3 hour drive back to Cinci.

We checked into a hotel near the airport, grabbed some Chick fil A and watched the last game of the Final Four, where UNC beat Duke.  It went right down to the wire.  I wanted Duke to win, because Coach K retired after the season.  But UNC ended up on top.  Still a great game.

We had an early morning flight home, so we got some rest and headed back home the next day.

He was so grateful for this trip and appreciated so much that we made this happen for him.  I loved the time we spent together and I can NOT believe he is 16.

The Drop Off

 When Luke got his travel info for the mission, He got to choose whether to fly to Utah and get dropped off, or have us drive him up.  He chose for us to drive him.  So, on Tuesday morning, the 29th of March, we loaded up the minivan and drove straight through to Provo.  It was a long, difficult drive.  We could only listen to church music and Luke was silent the whole drive.  I could tell how nervous and anxious he was.  We checked into a hotel in Provo that night, when we arrived.  And he immediately went to bed.  He didn't want to go anywhere or do anything and we had pizza delivered to the room.  I was so worried about him, but he wouldn't talk to us.  I just prayed hard all night and hardly slept.

The next morning, he wouldn't get up and get ready.  We were supposed to have him to the MTC by 1:45.  And we needed to check out of the hotel by noon.  I was able to finally get him up and in the shower.  We barely made check out at noon.  But, we did.  We were supposed to meet Chloe, Christian, Carter, Kaitlyn, Sarah, Isaac and the kids at Chick fil A for lunch and so that they could tell him goodbye.  But when we got there, he wouldn't get out of the car.  So, Cali, Brody and I went in and had lunch with everyone and explained that he was too anxious to come in.  They totally understood.

Then, Jeremy came in and told me that Luke needed to talk to me.  I went out to the car and he just totally let everything out.  I told him that he didn't have to go.  That we could call the MTC and tell them that he isn't ready.  I told him that it was ok to change his mind.  I told him that I loved him no matter what.  And that Heavenly Father loves him too.  And that He understands how Luke feels.  I hugged him hard!  And then, he was ok.  Like really OK.  He just needed to get it all out.  Everything that he had been holding in.  And he felt better and ready.  I was still worried, but he insisted that he wanted to do this and that he was ready to go.  He hopped out of the car to give Sarah & Isaac and the kids hugs before we left for the MTC.

We had 20 minutes before his check in time!  We drove to the parking lot across the street from the MTC to take some pics and say our goodbyes-

I didn't want to let him go!  But I wanted this so bad for him too!  It was hard!

We piled back into the van and drove across the street and followed the signs to the missionary drop off in the underground parking garage...

A couple of Elders came out to help him get his luggage and we got to say one last goodbye.  Then I watched him walk away.  He didn't even turn around.  Off he went!  That's when I finally broke down.

I was balling as we drove out of the garage.  It was very quiet in the car for a very long time. No one spoke.  We immediately got on the freeway and headed for Las Vegas.  Brody and I were catching a flight out to Cincinatti that night.  

That was literally one of the most difficult things I have ever had to go through as a mom.  I prayed and prayed and prayed the whole way to Vegas.  

But he is in the Lord's hands now.  I did my best, I think.  I know I tried.  He is so freaking awesome and will be the bestest missionary!  I just hope he realizes it, like the rest of us do.  God be with you my son!

The last family dinner for a while...

 Monday, March 28th-

We went to our favorite place for dinner, one last time, and Luke had to say goodbye to Gavin and Kristin.

The more real it got, the harder it got to hold back tears.  Things are going to be so different.  But so good.  But it is so hard.  I love my family so much!

Goodbye Elder Wilson

 We had an Open House for Luke, the Sunday before he headed up to Provo to finish his missionary training.  So many friends and family came to tell him goodbye and good luck.

And Cali baked her butt off!

We have the best friends and family and this kid is going to be missed!

Wilson Family Spring Break

 The sibs were all here for Spring Break and celebrating Nana & Papa, the week of  March 21st!  I had to work all week, and Luke needed the house quiet for MTC, so everyone hung out at Papa's pretty much the whole time.  But we managed to get in some beach time and we always have fun when we are all together!

Happy 50th Nana & Papa!

 On March 18th, these 2 celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary!  Papa was sad, because Nana doesn't know what that means.  He said he didn't want us to make a big deal about it.  But, we didn't listen and threw them a surprise party and Ben & Mishelle's that Sunday to celebrate!  Becky came in to town too and we had a great party celebrating such a wonderful love!

And he was glad!  The best thing kids can do for their parents, is to love each other.  The best thing parents can do for their kids, is to love each other.  That's the Wilson Family!  Thank you Nana & Papa!  So grateful for both of you and this amazing family you created!  Love You!

Downtown Disney Date

I didn't get to go to Disneyland because of my dumb back  But I really wanted to get in some Disney with Cali before she started her mission.  So, we drove up to Downtown Disney on Saturday, March 19th.  We shopped, ate goodies and Cali got her caramel apple.  It was just a nice day to be able to spend together.