First on the list: shopping!
Shopping with Tom is always an adventure. If it weren't for him, my preference would be to go to a store that carries everything missionary, turn over my credit card to them and leave the store with everything that we need in hand. But that is not how he functions. We have to check out every brick and mortar store in the valley, look at everything, try things on, ask questions then come home and research more and price everything out on the Internet, ask other people, go back and look at things in real life to compare again to what we saw online. Often, on smaller ticket items like shirts and socks (and garments), we would buy a test pair or two from a few places to try out before buying the whole lot. I'll be honest, the process was exhausting---especially when you look at how long the shopping list for a missionary is. BUT, we feel like we made great choices for Cache (style-price-and-comfort-wise) and Tom feels satisfied that his money is spent the best way possible. The biggest benefit, however, was how much time that put us together. We did the shopping for *everything* together except for a sweatshirt and a journal --and those were last minute things I just sent him off to tackle on his own. So while I was glad to finally check off all of the shopping off my list, I am very thankful for the way we approached mission shopping. We have such great memories. Just for the record, out of everything we purchased, the luggage and the ties were by far the hardest decisions.
His suits came with a free sitting and 8x10 missionary photo from Glen Ricks. I was excited because we could get one for his missionary plaque too. However, when I saw the pricing, I declined and just cut out the pixelated proof he sent home for the plaque. (Bad me; but I just wasn't willing to spend that kind of money.) I love the pictures though!
Other things we busied ourselves with: labeling everything (he wanted little 'T's stitched on all of his clothes--he was afraid of a Sharpie discoloring things--hes' very particular about clothing). . . . ironing the white shirts. . . . . packing things up to clear his room. . . getting in last minute dental check ups & immunizations (We went in for one, came out with three! He's quite queasy so he nearly passed out twice. Always memorable getting shots with him!) . . . .temple endowments. . . .compiled family stories. . . .got his motor vehicle record (he now wishes he had gotten at least one speeding ticket so as to not have such a high possibility of having to drive in NJ!). . .made a long list of everything I need while he's gone (passwords, scholarship info, classes to register for before he gets back etc.) . . .and probably more that I'm not remembering right now. It was a busy and full few months!
Then finally, and most importantly, I was very protective of the month of June. We had a week of EFY, scout camp, a family reunion and then what seemed like a bazillion smaller things, but way back in April I started penciling in a lot of family time, days home, special meals, temple trips etc. If something else came to take that I away, I declined. I am SO glad I did! We had a great month and made a lot of good memories! I wouldn't trade it for anything!
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