Family Pictures

Before Cade left we were able to squeeze in a family photo session. Eileen Workman was the amazing photographer and she did such a great job! She keeps a fun photo blog I had seen a few times, and her daughter and son-in-law are some of Nate and my closest friends.


She was even willing to come up to the farm where my dad keeps all his cows and horses! The "canyon" as my family calls it, has been Cade's home away from home for many years; so we knew it would be the perfect location to take pictures before he left. Anyways, they turned out AWESOME.


You can check out a few of them on Eileen's blog, HERE. Make sure you tell her how talented she is!

A Sad Day at the Wallentine House

Elder Wallentine has packed up and left us...for 2 years! Last Sunday Cade gave his farewell talk and Wednesday, August 13th, we took him to the MTC. That was my first MTC experience and I hope it was my last! I'm sure everyone is semi-familiar with the whole routine. (Sitting through a short welcome, attemtping to sing "Called to Serve", and saying the ever dreaded goodbyes) Not fun for anyone!
Lucky for me, I was blessed with a comforting calm feeling throughout the day. Meaning, I still bawled, but I was also very excited for Cade to begin his missionary experience. I have no doubt he will work hard while he is teaching and serving the people in Chile.
Our family will miss him lots but we know he is serving a greater cause!
This nice old guy could tell we needed help.
Trying to hold back the tears. :'(
For anyone wondering, Nate wanted to be there, but I'm a ditz and booked his flight back to Virginia right before we had to be at the MTC. (my fault, my fault)
A guy there asked me what mission my son was going to...seriously? Do I look 40?
My favorite picture. It still makes me tear up a bit... :)
Still no word from the greenie Elder W... a preview of the next 2 years I'm afraid. Ha. We'll miss you Cade!

Ode to Virginia

Dear Virginia,

I'm leaving soon, for Utah calls...
I'll miss you dearly - and all your malls.

When I'm gone, Nate just might relax,
who knew shopping sprees caused heart attacks?

I found solace in the slower days,
if not in malls, then catching rays.

The apartment pool - the Eastern shore
you know tanning is what summer's for!

You've been a great host, oh sweet V-A,
if given the chance, I'd come back to stay.

But in the end, U-T has you beat,
with mountains, deserts, and normal streets.

Although, the one thing you can truly boast -
Your license plates! I will miss them most.

So in honor of you, oh state of states -
my personal plethora of crazy plates.

Edward + Bella

AWESOME.

It had me quite shocked at a few parts, laughing, crying. . . the whole spectrum.
So what did you think??