Bye Bye, Nate-y, We’re Gonna Miss You So

   For Nate’s “Last Supper” he requested steak & everything sandwiches for dinner.  We had fun sitting around the dinner table and talking and spending time with Nate.  This picture cracks me up b/c Dad & Mom & Autumn were all using toothpicks.  They looked like a bunch of hicks, but at least they’ll have clean teeth.

After dinner we watched TV and then Autumn helped Dad make smoothies.  He just makes them up as he goes and doesn’t really follow a recipe, but they always turn out great (unless he tries to be creative and use weird stuff like mandarin oranges).

This picture makes me laugh b/c I look like a GIANT!  I think it’s b/c my arms look freakishly long and he’s leaning back so I look taller than usual.  I don’t know why Lexie & Nick & Nate & I do this pose and pull these faces when we hug each other, but we just do.  I guess it’s our thing but I never noticed it until now.

We had to get a normal one, too.  I am going to miss Nate while he’s gone.  He’s always the life of the party and up for doing anything fun and daring and exciting.  He helps me get out of my comfort zone.

It still hasn’t sunk in that he’ll be gone for 2 years.  But, then Dad put it in terms that brought it home really fast.  Basically, the next time Autumn sees him, she will be 6 1/2 years old and will be going into 2nd grade!  That really put things into perspective.  Lexie’s unborn baby will be walking and talking the next time we see Nate!  So crazy!

We said our good byes and promised that we’d remember him in our prayers every night.  He’s driving to California for a few days and then will be off to Japan next week.  We love him so much and know he will have great and wonderful adventures.